We have a tendency to put label on people, events and experiences. As an example, we read something that someone wrote then we make a judgment on what we have just read and on the person who wrote it. That judgment, which could also be called labeling, goes to the bank of references in our brain and the next time that we have any type of encounter with that person, the first thing that will be done, even without being conscious of it, is to go to our bank of references to determine what that person represent for us.

The process is completely automatic but will color all the subsequent encounters that we'll be having with that person. Our first impression will be a lasting one. That is why it is said that it's impossible to make a second good first impression when meeting someone.

The question almost never arises as to whether that first impression was accurate or not. Invariably we will trust the initial impression and that can lead to faulty evaluations and great learning experiences missed.

No one will argue the value of having an open mind which would also mean that an inquisitive doubt is vastly superior to an indolent assurance. Whenever we are certain about anything, we no longer question it. Not a very wise thing to do if we consider that everything changes all the time. What was true yesterday might not still be true today.

A true scientist will never assert that anything is the truth. A true scientist will always allow for the possibility that some unknown factor might not have been taken in an equation and that what we see a the truth might not be so. Absolutes are not accepted by scientists and they should not be accepted by the rational mind.

Robert Pirsig said in effect that, some scientific truths seem to last for centuries, others for less than a year. Scientific truth is not dogma, good for eternity, but a temporal quantitative entity that can be studied like anything else.

So if scientific truths are temporary, it would stand to reason that opinions, notions and beliefs could certainly stand some questioning from time to time.

Knowing that we might not know is vastly superior and more accurate than holding an obstinate assurance. Certainty might bring assurance but it can also lead to a close mind and the inability to learn, expand and grow.

It is said that the only things that will not change are death and taxes. It may have been said in jest but there is certainly a lot of truth in there. At least... I think so...

Dr. Raymond Comeau aka Shamou is the Author of ShamouBlog http://shamoublog.com/ and Administrator of Personal Development for Personal Success Forums.