Listen to this quote by Buddha: "Let yourself be open and life will be easier. A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed."
I understand it is not always easy to be open-minded. We grow up learning a certain set of beliefs and usually mix with like minded people most of our lives. So when someone presents us with a different viewpoint or perspective than ours, it can sometimes be difficult to accept or at the very least, be open to thinking about it. You can actually gain quite a bit by opening the door to your mind. I know plenty of people who used to be rigid in thought and beliefs. Through the years they have loosened up, let go, and have become more open-minded. They tend to carry less stress now and more peace and contentment. Being close-minded can cause you to miss out on growth and benefits. For example, if you have a strong opinion about those in same sex relationships and believe they are not worthy of love or acceptance, you are missing out on an opportunity to know some wonderful men and women who just happen to enjoy the company of the same sex. The pre-judgment is basic close-mindedness and can cause pain to you and to others.
EXPAND YOUR MIND
Expanding your mind and becoming more open-minded offers you a road to new ideas and beliefs. Though it is easier to stay inside comfortable little boxes, climbing out gives us wide eyes to see the beauty and creative wonders of the world and spirit. Do you want to be rigid and close-minded or expand your mind? See new things? Try new roads?
BENEFITS OF OPEN MINDEDNESS:
YOU EXPERIENCE A GOOD KIND OF LOSING CONTROL
Sometimes being in control is great, but not when it causes you stress. Let go of some of your control of your thought and rigid beliefs. Experience new thoughts and ideas through your excited open mind. Trust me; it is liberating!
CHANGE YOUR WORLDVIEW
Why do we think we have to keep the same worldview throughout our whole life? As we grow and experience new things, meet new people, learn new things, our worldview should expand. Although we don't have to change our beliefs if we don't want to, it is liberating to feel like we can if we want.
YOU CONSIDER NEW POSSIBILITIES
Being open-minded makes us feel a bit vulnerable because we admit we do not know "everything", but this is a good thing. Too many people think they know it all (and they clearly don't). I find it refreshing and exciting to know that I don't know everything and I am open to new possibilities all the time.
YOU GET MORE CONFIDENT
If you keep an open mind, you experience more confidence. You understand that varying beliefs are fine and you don't always have to be right or know it all. Hear something you think sounds a little crazy? A confident person might ponder it for a while, but someone who is not confident might start arguing his point right away. Being open-minded is like choosing to live in a glass house over one with no windows. You see different people approach your glass house with all sorts of different beliefs and values and freely observe them, but still have the choice of opening the door for them or not to come in. On the other hand, if you choose to live in a house with no windows, you could care less about even seeing people approach your house because you don't want any company. There are plenty of advantages for being open-minded. It is my hope that you will take this into consideration as you think about how open-minded you are.
Origin: pickup-techniques.blogspot.com
