I believe the mind is
like a parachute; it works better when it's open.
Our mind is a crucial
part of our being. We hear of statements of people losing their minds and being
unreasonable. We are called upon not to conform to the patterns of this world
but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. The mind that doesn't get
renewedor sharpened will remain dull and unhelpful. A closed up mind can't be
renewed. You only renew the mind if it's able to unlearn and learn. A closed up
mind is like a pond with no outlet or inlet. It smells, and you start
experiencing the negativity that it has. The kind of a mind that thinks it
knows all and no one can influence it.On the other hand, an open mind is
influenceable. A mind that is influenceable is the one that can influence. An
open mind is the one that can add value to the bearer and those who interact
with it.
I believe the secret
to success and happiness in this life is to have an open mind. An open mind to
receive and interact with new ideas, to interact with people without being
judgmental. We lose out a lot if we operate from the point of being too rigid,
closed in our thinking, my way or the highway kind of thinking and always
thinking that you are the smartest guy in the room and that no one can say
anything. I have come to appreciate that a mind that is like a sponge, ready to
take in and also to give as much as it can, stays healthy, clean and fresh. A
mind that remains open to all possibilities can fly high and go places.
I have encountered
people who are so rigid, who are hung up on their way of thinking and give no
room for any other thought. Unfortunately, some of these have been people very
close to me, and their actions have affected me in ways that I find very unfortunate.
Mostly what I have found is due to someone’s ego, they are not willing to be
responsive and to let others speak into their lives or listen to others around
them. You find someone working so hard to justify their point or defend
themselves or rubbish others. An open mind is secure, confident and humble.
It's a mind that is free, that is healthy. Unfortunately, most of us find
ourselves dragged into moments of insecurities, arrogance, and pride that make
us not want to give room to others to influence the perception or the way we
think about issues. We would rather die than admit that we are wrong and need
to listen to another opinion. It even becomes harder if this opinion is coming
from someone we consider to be lesser than us, whatever the case.
My extended family is
currently going through trouble in what I might say is due to closed mindsets.
The two main people who could make things better have refused to be influenced
in any way. Everyone has their stand, and they are holding on to it no matter
what. I believe in knowing what you want and being stubborn to pursue it, but
if it’s at the expense of others who your actions affect negatively, then you
need to reevaluateyour stand. If it’s making those you claim to be doing it for
suffer, to what end then? Especially if it involves a child who is entirely
depended on you. This doesn’t mean you become a doormat; it just means you
become the bigger person and wisely act in the long-term best interest of those around you. This is easier said than done, but
when you choose to examine your actions and your thoughts, you will in most
cases know what you ought to do however tough that might be for you.
Are you open-minded?
Are you secure, confident and humble? Are you free, healthy and fresh in your
mind? Are you responsive or resistant?
If this resonates with
you, examine yourself on whether you are mostly open minded or too stubborn on
issues that affect you and others. Look for a small community of friends who
you can do this together with. Being accountable to a few and practicing with a few. It’s about
building a community of friends to share each other’s journey of interrogating
whether you are responsive or resistant.
You have to be deeply committed to each other and desire to see each
other grow in this journey. You have to create support, encouragement and
accountability platform for each other. The community has to be as small as
possible so that there is active engagement by all involved.
Find a community
around you and see if these conversations make sense to you.
By Gabriel Achayo
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