When Conviction Softened into Compassion”

“When Conviction Softened into Compassion”

There was a time when I believed that firmness in one’s opinions defined strength — that changing one’s mind was a sign of weakness, of inconsistency. To me, standing like a rock amidst the tide of ideas symbolised integrity. But as the seasons of life unfolded, I realised that even rocks erode with time, while rivers, though ever-changing, carve valleys and nurture life.

It was through countless interactions — in classrooms, staff meetings, friendships, and family circles — that I discovered how our convictions often spring from circumstances rather than universal truths. What I once dismissed as indecisiveness, I later recognised as growth. Our thoughts are not meant to be locked in iron chests; they must breathe, evolve, and learn the melody of empathy.

The Journey from Rigidity to Realisation

In the early chapters of my life, I was an ardent believer in the phrase “once right, always right.” Perhaps it stemmed from the discipline of education, where precision and correctness were virtues. Yet, human nature is far more nuanced than the black-and-white markings of a chalkboard.

Gradually, experience whispered a different wisdom — that being open to change does not mean surrendering values but refining them. Behavioural science suggests that our reflexes — both physical and mental — are shaped by survival instincts. When confronted with contradiction, the mind instinctively defends itself, much like the hand withdraws from fire. But if we pause for a moment before reacting, understanding seeps in. That pause is where wisdom lives.

The Mirror of Human Behaviour

Human nature thrives on comfort, familiarity, and the illusion of control. We love to believe that what we know today will remain eternally true. Yet, the beauty of being human lies in our ability to outgrow our former selves. Just as the snake sheds its skin to survive, our minds must shed outdated beliefs to stay humane.

Changing one’s mind, therefore, is not a betrayal of one’s past but a celebration of one’s evolution. It’s a testament that learning never ceases — that the child within us still dares to ask why.

The New Understanding

I now see that conviction is noble, but compassion is nobler. To hold strong opinions with humility, to listen without judgement, and to accept the possibility of being wrong — these are the real marks of maturity. The heart that once reacted like a reflex now reflects before responding.

Change of mind is not weakness; it is wisdom at work — a silent revolution that polishes our soul and connects us more deeply to others.

Let the river of thought keep flowing free,
Carving its course through stone and sea.
For minds that bend, like trees in rain,
Shall rise anew and bloom again.

To change one’s view is not to fall,
But to hear life’s gentler, truer call.
In hearts where empathy softly reigns,
The strength of love forever remains.