The Path to Inner and Outer Peace

"Open minded" seems to be one of those terms that has lots and lots of different definitions, all depending on who you ask. There's even a quote that goes something like "It’s good to have an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out.” Whoever wrote that might have a point... but I think that particular saying is mostly in reference to being someone who holds no opinion of their own, adopting instead whatever point of view any other person around them has a preference for.

I believe in being open to the possibilities of the Universe, and I believe that-- even though SOME people look to me as an "expert" and "mentor"-- I know very little and have very few answers to anything. To me, having an open mind means that I may have my opinions, but I am always willing to contemplate alternatives. And it means that I don't judge those whose choices are very different from my own, and I feel no compulsion to try to "convert" them to my point of view. That doesn't mean I necessarily agree with them. Having an open mind means staying alert to the fact that "appearances" can be deceiving. Things are not always as they seem.

Keeping an open mind has allowed me to meet some wonderful people, and to have some breathtaking experiences. Without an open mind, I would never have become best friends with wild-child punk rocker chic Selma in college... who was one of the sweetest people I've ever known. She was "scary," the first time I met her and I could as well have turned away. And there are many things I would not have tried, if I had acted based on my preconceived notions.