Here are a couple of ways MLK’s views developed and deepened over his career: from Southern civil rights to systemic injustice, saying “What good is having the right to sit at a lunch counter if you can’t afford to buy a hamburger?” and from patriotic restraint to outspoken anti-war activism. King didn’t abandon his principles—he radicalized them. As reality changed, he let evidence, suffering, and conscience reshape his strategy and scope. His legacy isn’t just courage. It’s moral growth in public—the willingness to evolve when love demands more.
But, we now live in a time when it seems like fixed mindset and identities now trump the growth mindset and evolution. I stumbled upon this TEDx talk called What Does It Take to Change a Mind? It reminded me of a question that I occasionally ask both myself and people I disagree with:
What evidence or theory might help you change your mind?
It’s one thing to change one’s mind. It’s even more impressive when someone can evolve their identity. For Heisman Trophy winner and NFL player Ricky Williams (now known as Errick Miron) who’s come into his own as a world-class astrologer in midlife, his truth speaks to how he’s evolved as a person, “The fruit is juiciest at maturity” (his Midlife Chrysalis episode with me). I think this particular podcast interview was my favorite of last year! I’m excited to be co-leading a workshop with Ricky/Errick at MEA Santa Fe February 8-12 called “Evolving Identity: Learning How to Let Go.”
Is it time for you to change your mind or evolve your identity? If so, I highly recommend this workshop.
-Chip