"La plus grande tromperie dont les hommes souffrent vient de leurs propres opinions"

Often, the biggest trick our minds play on us is making us believe that our opinions are always right. This can be a real kicker because we trust our own thoughts and feelings so much. Imagine you’re always looking at the world through your own personal lens, and sometimes, that lens can be pretty foggy without you even realizing it. That's the core of the idea: we deceive ourselves by clinging too tightly to our own views, mistaking them for absolute truth.

Think back to the Renaissance period—Leonardo da Vinci, the ultimate jack-of-all-trades, said something along these lines. Back then, challenging widely accepted beliefs could get you into a world of trouble, yet people like da Vinci dared to question their own thoughts and the "truths" of their time. It was a period when people started to realize that maybe, just maybe, not everything they believed was spot-on. Da Vinci’s own works, filled with sketches of futuristic machines and deep anatomical studies, were born from questioning and doubting common opinions.

Now, picture this: A seasoned doctor, with decades of experience, insists that a particular treatment is the best because it's what he’s always used. But a younger colleague suggests a new, innovative approach. The senior doctor’s immediate reaction is to dismiss the idea—after all, he’s been practicing medicine since before his colleague was even born. However, if he allows himself to be open to this new perspective, he might discover a more effective treatment. By breaking free from the deception of his own opinion, he could potentially save more lives.

So, how can you apply this in your own life? Start by questioning your beliefs. It’s not about doubting yourself constantly, but rather being open to the idea that you might not have all the answers. Engage in conversations with people who hold different opinions. Read books or articles that challenge your views. It’s like a muscle—the more you exercise your mind in this way, the stronger it gets.

Let me tell you about my friend, Sarah. She was convinced that her job was the pinnacle of her career and that she couldn't find anything better. But deep down, she felt unfulfilled. One day, she had a conversation with an old classmate who had taken a completely different career path and was thriving. This got Sarah thinking. She started exploring other opportunities, eventually finding a job that not only paid better but also made her genuinely happy. If she had clung to her initial opinion about her job, she would've missed out on this newfound joy and satisfaction.

In essence, don't let your opinions trap you. Be like Sarah—open, curious, willing to explore. Life’s a lot more exciting and fulfilling when you’re not confined by your own narrow views. So next time you catch yourself thinking you're absolutely right, pause and ask, "Am I seeing the whole picture?" You might be surprised at what you discover.