Most people go through life following the herd. They do what everyone else does, believe what everyone else believes, and rarely stop to ask themselves why. But if you want to do something remarkable—if you want to create, lead, or truly understand the world—you have to think for yourself. You have to be willing to step away from the crowd.

The world has always been shaped by those who refuse to conform. Every great invention, every breakthrough in art, science, and philosophy, came from someone who saw things differently. Innovation doesn’t come from copying what’s already been done. It comes from questioning, from challenging assumptions, from asking: “What if we tried something else?”

But it’s not just about changing the world. It’s about living a life that’s truly yours. If you always follow the herd, you’ll never know what you actually believe, what you truly enjoy, or what you’re capable of. You’ll just be a reflection of the people around you. And that’s a waste of the one life you’ve been given.

Thinking for yourself isn’t easy. There’s comfort in blending in, in not making waves. But comfort is a poor substitute for fulfillment. Growth happens when you challenge yourself, when you’re willing to ask hard questions, when you’re not afraid to be different.

So how do you break free from the herd? Start by questioning everything. Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the best way. Seek knowledge, not just from the loudest voices, but from many sources. Read widely, listen to different perspectives, and form your own opinions. Don’t be afraid to experiment, to take risks, to fail. Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s the path to it.

Find people who challenge your thinking. Surround yourself with those who inspire you to be better, not just those who agree with you. And above all, stay true to what you believe in. It’s easy to be swayed by trends, by popular opinion, by the fear of standing alone. But if you build your life on what truly matters to you, you’ll never feel lost.

Imagine a life where you follow your curiosity instead of convention. Picture yourself carving your own path, venturing into the unknown, discovering things no one else has dared to explore. That’s the life of someone who thinks for themselves. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

The world needs more independent thinkers. It needs people who challenge the status quo, who refuse to accept things just because “that’s the way it’s always been.” It needs creators, leaders, risk-takers. That could be you.

You have something unique to offer the world—your own thoughts, your own creativity, your own vision. Don’t let it be drowned out by the noise of the crowd. The people who make the biggest difference are the ones who dare to think differently.

And don’t mistake independence for rebellion. Thinking for yourself isn’t about being contrary for the sake of it. It’s about carefully considering what’s right for you. It’s about discovering what excites you, what lights that fire inside you, what makes you wake up in the morning and feel alive.

So ask questions. Lots of them. Challenge assumptions, push boundaries, and refuse to accept a life that’s just “good enough.” You weren’t meant for mediocrity. You weren’t designed to simply exist, to do what everyone else does, to march in step with the rest of the world. You were made to create, to think, to explore, to truly live.

The road ahead isn’t always clear, and that’s okay. No one who has ever done anything great had a perfect map leading them to success. They made their own way, step by step, fueled by curiosity and courage. You can do the same. So, my dear grandkids, be bold. Be curious. Be unafraid to stand alone if it means standing for what you believe in. The world is full of people who take the easy route, who let others think for them. But you? You have the chance to be different. And that’s a gift worth embracing.