We often have an odd way of accepting someone’s decision to change their mind.
A change of mind is frequently thought to be a sign of a poorly conceived conviction or a poorly conceived initial position.
Few politicians change their minds because they know that they will be assailed for weakness or for having caved in, as opposed to having given careful and objective thought to a complex topic.
Of course, then there’s also the issue of a politician changing their mind simply for political expediency or political advantage.
That kind of distasteful behavior, although perhaps pragmatic, just stokes our cynicism.
We sometimes get upset at a child’s frequent changes of mind and want to instill some consistency that ultimately stifles ongoing thought and assessment.
At the same time, as parents, we are often faced with alternating opinions as to whether we need to be consistent in application and formulation of the rules we set or whether there should be some ability to make the rules a living entity that is responsive to events and circumstances.
When I was a child, I attended a “Yeshiva,” which is a Jewish version of a parochial school. We were taught to abide by Biblical laws, include the law regarding Kosher foods.
One day, when I was about 10 years old, I found a package of ham in our refrigerator and confronted my mother about the blatant violation of a sacred rule.