September 9, 2026
On The Upside with Marley
The Value of Changing Your Mind
Somewhere along the way, changing your mind became something we’re supposed to be embarrassed about.
We admire people who “stick to their guns.” We criticize politicians, business leaders and even friends when they take a different position than they did five years ago. Somehow, consistency has become confused with integrity.
But I’ve always thought there was something far more concerning about someone who never changes their mind.
Think about how much you’ve learned throughout your life. You’ve met people you hadn’t met before. You’ve experienced things you couldn’t have imagined when you were younger. You’ve made mistakes, discovered new information and hopefully gained a little wisdom along the way.
Shouldn’t some of that change what you think?
Changing your mind doesn’t necessarily mean you were foolish before. Sometimes it simply means you know more today than you did yesterday.
There are certainly principles worth holding onto. Kindness, honesty, fairness and treating people with dignity aren’t things we should abandon whenever they’re inconvenient.
But opinions are different.
If someone presents us with better information, perhaps the smartest response isn’t immediately defending what we already believe. Maybe it’s asking, “What if I’m wrong?”
Those four words can be remarkably powerful.
They allow conversations instead of arguments. They make learning possible. And occasionally they lead us somewhere better than where we started.
Growing older doesn’t have to mean becoming more certain about everything. Perhaps wisdom is recognizing how much there still is to learn.
Changing your mind isn’t weakness. Sometimes it’s evidence that you were open-minded enough to grow.
Why September Feels Like A Fresh Start
January may officially begin the year, but September often feels like a second New Year.
For much of our childhood, September meant new teachers, new classrooms, sharpened pencils and notebooks with completely untouched pages. Even decades after leaving school, that rhythm tends to stay with us.
Summer vacations end, regular schedules return and community activities begin again. Cooler evenings encourage us back into routines that disappeared somewhere around the first long weekend of summer.
Psychologists sometimes refer to significant dates and transitions as “temporal landmarks.” They create natural dividing lines between the person we were yesterday and the person we intend to be tomorrow.
That’s why January 1, birthdays, Mondays—and even September—can motivate us to begin something new.
So if that New Year’s resolution disappeared sometime around February, here’s some good news.
Nothing says you have to wait until January to start again.
Five Things Canada Gave The World
Canada may be known for maple syrup, hockey and apologizing, but Canadian inventors and innovators have contributed some remarkable things to everyday life.
Insulin: Frederick Banting, Charles Best and their colleagues helped develop insulin as a treatment for diabetes in Toronto in the early 1920s.
The Snowmobile: Quebec inventor Joseph-Armand Bombardier developed practical snow vehicles that eventually led to the modern Ski-Doo.
The Canadarm: Canada’s famous robotic arm became an important part of NASA’s Space Shuttle program and established Canada’s reputation in space robotics.
Basketball: Canadian-born James Naismith invented basketball in 1891 while teaching in Massachusetts.
The Electric Oven: Canadian inventor Thomas Ahearn is credited with developing one of the earliest electric cooking ranges in the 1890s.
Not bad for a country whose population today is smaller than many of the world’s largest cities.
The Lobster’s Night Out
A man was walking down the street carrying a lobster under his arm.
A friend stopped him.
“Are you taking that lobster home for dinner?”
“No,” the man replied. “He’s already had his dinner.”
“I’m taking him to the movies.”
The Expensive Beer
A dog walked into a bar and ordered a beer.
The surprised bartender poured one and said, “That’ll be ten dollars.”
The dog paid the bill and started toward the door.
The bartender called after him, “You know, we don’t get many dogs drinking in here.”
The dog looked back.
“At ten dollars a beer, I’m not surprised.”
The Talking Penguin
A penguin walked into a store and asked the clerk, “Have you seen my brother?”
The clerk thought for a moment.
“I’m not sure. What does he look like?”
The Marriage Counsellor
A husband and wife visited a marriage counsellor.
The counsellor asked, “What seems to be the problem?”
The wife launched into a long explanation of everything that had gone wrong during their marriage.
When she finally finished, the counsellor walked around his desk, gave her a long hug and sat back down.
He looked at the husband and said, “Your wife needs this at least three times a week.”
The husband thought about it.
“Okay. I can bring her here Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.”
The Very Healthy Patient
A doctor finished examining an elderly patient.
“You’re in excellent health,” he announced. “At this rate, you could live to be ninety.”
The patient stared at him.
“Doctor, I am ninety.”
The doctor smiled.
“Well then, there you go.”
Editor’s Quote Book
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”
— Albert Einstein
Trivia Quiz
(Click Question For Answer)
Your Horoscope
For Amusement Only
Aries Mar. 21 – Apr. 19: A change of plans works surprisingly well. Flexibility becomes your greatest advantage.
Taurus Apr. 20 – May 20: Something you’ve been considering deserves action. Start small and build from there.
Gemini May 21 – Jun. 20: New information changes your perspective. Don’t be afraid to reconsider an old opinion.
Cancer Jun. 21 – Jul. 22: A familiar routine provides comfort. Enjoy stability without becoming stuck in it.
Leo Jul. 23 – Aug. 22: Someone appreciates your encouragement. A few thoughtful words make a genuine difference.
Virgo Aug. 23 – Sep. 22: Your attention to detail prevents a problem. Trust what you notice.
Libra Sep. 23 – Oct. 22: Compromise isn’t surrender. Meeting halfway strengthens an important relationship.
Scorpio Oct. 23 – Nov. 21: Something previously unclear begins making sense. Give yourself time before deciding.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 – Dec. 21: Curiosity leads somewhere worthwhile. Follow an unexpected opportunity to learn.
Capricorn Dec. 22 – Jan. 19: Progress may seem slow, but you’re moving forward. Stay with your plan.
Aquarius Jan. 20 – Feb. 18: A different approach produces better results. Original thinking serves you well.
Pisces Feb. 19 – Mar. 20: Someone needs a patient listener more than advice. Simply being there will matter.
The Perkolator Online
Published Weekly with More Features + Videos
Delivered FREE To Your Inbox
Follow Us On Facebook
CLICK HERE! and SUBSCRIBE NOW
The Long Face
A horse walked into a bar.
The bartender looked up and asked, “Why the long face?”
Psychiatric Help
“Doctor, people keep ignoring me.”
“Next, please.”
The Ice Cream Man
An ice cream salesman was found covered in chocolate sauce, sprinkles and syrup.
Police believe he topped himself.
Playing Hide And Seek
Why are Dalmatians terrible at hide and seek?
They’re always spotted.
The Hot Dog Vendor
A Buddhist walked up to a hot dog vendor and said,
“Make me one with everything.”
Marley’s Video Pick
The Power of Believing That You Can Improve
Can the way we think about our own abilities actually change how we learn? Psychologist Carol Dweck explores the idea of a “growth mindset”—the belief that abilities aren’t permanently fixed and can develop through effort, learning and perseverance. It fits perfectly with this week’s Upside: changing what we think isn’t failure; sometimes it’s exactly how growth happens.
The Last Word
“An open mind doesn’t require us to believe everything. It simply allows us to keep learning.”