We all have the journey of discovering who we are, what we want, and what we wish our legacy to be. That is our life cycle. Keeping an open mind means to not get set in your thoughts and refuse to change your mind. If someone gives me a different opinion from my own, I consider their side and try to understand where they are coming from. This is having an open mind - not just agreeing with the person regardless what I think and feel.
The key to an open mind is consider everything, make changes if you decide a new lesson can be implemented in your life, and love and accept others no matter what their opinions are. You can disagree with them or feel something they are doing is harmful to themselves or others - but that doesn't mean you are close minded. This would bring me to define close-minded - Anyone who is over confident of their opinion and not willing to consider others' opinions in a diplomatic way, and most importantly - someone who is not willing to change or adapt.
I wanted to express this because I think a lot of young people feel if they stand up for something they believe in or hold on to their own personal values and beliefs, they are being closed minded. This is not true - an open mind is one willing to listen, contemplate other points of view, and accept and try to understand others opinions. It does not mean you have to go to a rock concert and get stoned to open your mind - that is just a recreational choice and the only thing that would open your mind in that circumstance is considering you may or may not enjoy it!
Remember, we're in this together
Drew Canole
Drew Canole
