By Dr. Sandy Islands for Conch Color
To take on the challenge of finding out how open-minded we really are. How often do we say, “I know,” or “I can’t” in a day? Do we approach life as experts or as students? New ideas cannot be grafted into a closed mind. Being open-minded is an art that can be nurtured and practiced. It leads us to insights that may have eluded us for years. Open-mindedness means that it’s okay to not have all the answers. If we’re students of life then we’re teachable and open to new ideas and new ways of living. We can start by acting as if we accept situations that we used to run from. It’s impossible to be arrogant and humble at the same time. “I know” is fueled by arrogance. It’s easy to be open-minded when we like someone or agree with them. Growth happens when we’re open-minded to people we dislike or ideas we disagree with. When we say, “I can’t,” it means “I’m unable to.” Instead let’s say, “I won’t” which means “I choose not to.” Making a conscious choice is being open-minded.
When we argue for our limitations, we always get them. When we challenge them, they disappear. Let’s open our minds to the belief that we can always do a little more than we think we can. Limiting thoughts only hold up because we don’t challenge them. Close mindedness makes us life-long victims of the past. At any moment we can choose to free ourselves by challenging and discarding ideas that limit us and inhibit our growth. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood when we accept that our caregivers did the best they could with the cards they were dealt. Not too many of us grew up with parents or relatives who practiced the art of “Just looking at themselves.” Our limitations stop us from discovering and embracing our true value. Rather than settle for self-imposed limitations of the past, we can examine and let go of old ideas that prevent us from realizing our full potential.
Let’s take a moment and survey the areas of our lives where we continue to limit ourselves. Are we open minded at work? At home? What risks are we willing to take to stand up for our truth in spite of the fact that we might disappoint important people in our lives? When someone points out a shortcoming, do we react defensively or pause, and ask ourselves if the feedback might be true? People can only push the buttons that we have to push. Often there are growing pains when we break through our limitations. Where do we need to stretch our consciousness in order to think outside of the box? Let’s listen to how often we reply, “Yes, but…” What we’re doing is pretending to agree while canceling what we’ve heard. The more we practice open-mindedness, the less we resist new ideas. Like yoga of the mind, instead of resisting, we become flexible and receptive to new points of view.
Rude Girl on 92.7 often signs off her radio program by saying, “The mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work unless it’s open.” People like Jesus, Gandhi, Buddha, Mother Teresa, Einstein, and others were ahead of their time. They had the courage to act on their divine inspiration and were hailed as geniuses, trend setters and saints. Ordinary people during their lifetime, they lived purposefully─ open to spiritual guidance in all they did. We’re all potential geniuses when we stay open to the wisdom in the universe that’s always whispering, always near. Please write to Dr. Islands at sandyislands@hawaii.rr.com