Thinking Blogger Award - Think, Thank, Thunk

My dear friend, Jerry, at Fishhawk Droppings gave me the Thinking Blogger Award. I'm very proud of this one because for many years of my life I hid my intelligence and bought into the idea that I am not very smart. I think the comments from the person I trusted the most went something like..."Do you think you can wrap your little mind around this? Try to pay attention, will ya!"

Finally, I realized the truths I'd accepted about myself were nothing more than intimidation tactics to keep me in line. If this person could stop me from thinking for myself then he would hold all the power. It was a blessed day when I broke that spell.

Getting this award made me wonder what is a thinker and what is a thinking blogger?

I ran across a list of seven qualities of a critical thinker from the Economic Opportunity Agency. Here they are:

Truth seeking - critical thinkers want to know the truth. They are willing to examine and even accept ideas that undermine their basic assumptions if the ideas come from a place of logic and reason.

Open minded - a critical thinker values disagreement and respects the ideas of others. She also checks her own words and thoughts for signs of bias.

Analytical - a critical thinker recognizes statements that call for evidence and seeks out the evidence in support or denial of the statement.

Systematic - critical thinkers stay with a complex problem, focusing on and testing ideas until a conclusion is reached.

Self confident - since he trusts his intellectual skills he is willing to support others in seeking answers, even if their views conflict with his own beliefs.

Inquisitive - she wants to know. She is hungry for facts and knowledge and is willing to explore ideas even if she doesn't know how this new insight fits into the puzzle.

Mature - he possesses a wisdom born of experience and understands that problems can have many solutions, even if the solutions seem to contradict themselves. He resists the temptation to accept the quick, superficial answer and instead looks deeper to unravel a problem. And at the same time, realizes that people are often called upon to act before all the facts are in.

So how do bloggers apply these concepts to their blogs? I'd say exactly the same way they do in their lives by exemplifying all the qualities to the best of your ability. Thinking bloggers do not slander others or post bias rants. Thinking bloggers explore not only their own minds and lives but the entire world of information available to them.

One more thing, and I realize this is a personal comment...thinking bloggers use their power to unite and heal not divide and wound.

Thank you, Jerry for considering me worthy of this award. I still have far to go but I can look back and be proud of how far I've come. In that spirit, here are my choices for the Thinking Blogger Award. Enjoy! Each of you richly deserve it. Some of you may already have this award but that's okay. Nothing wrong with continued admiration.

Mark Stoneman, owner of several blogs, all deserving of this award. I'll pick Stoneman's Corner.

Tiffany, also the owner of several amazing blogs. My favorite is What's Wrong Around Us?

Francis Scudellari owner of Caught In The Stream. I can't help it. I have to call Francis out for this award. This is one of my favorite blogs. If you want to truly understand critical thinking, this is the place to start.

Deb Paasquella, owner of Let Me Go On And On, stands on a bold premise and lovingly argues her points. I admire her greatly.

Have a great day everyone and thanks again Jerry...big hug from me to you!