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To what extent are you "Open-Minded" when it comes to a topic you dislike or hate the most? Can you change or accept the fact of it?
I think that being open-minded is taking other peoples ideas, such as the whole concept of TedTalks. It is for me to read/hear/watch others actions/words/written pieces/creations for achieving open-mindedness. I do have certain topics I have difficulty talking about, but I want to be able to accept and see their side of the world as well. For instance, religion is very interesting, but when someone says their ideal religion is the best and you must become one of us, I have a hard time talking to these people, but I try as best I can to hear them out. Sometimes I lose my composure, but I usually want to hear their claims for their beliefs. I also challenge their mindset at the same time.
I want to understand your strong dislikes as well as your capacity to sit and talk about this "dislike". Do we fear nothing, but fear itself, or is there much more to it?
Camille Van Pembroke
Derek Young 30+
Camille Van Pembroke
Derek Young 30+
Ana Petrovic
Ana Petrovic
Mireille Chéry
You are quite beautiful!
Mireille Chéry
It's like anything else. You may not agree with your lover, husband, wife, children...you still love them and care for them...
People who can not respect difference of opinions, are probably insecure, or don't know any better. The importance, is not to impose your ways, views upon someone that don't agree with you.
EXPRESS YOURSELF PEOPLE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING YOUR POINT, not being RIGHT at all cost!
Cheers,
Derek Young 30+
Mireille Chéry
On the other hand, if your in school and a teacher is explaining something to the class, and a student choose to not agreeing with what the teacher said...this is his right, but at the of the school year, this student will lost points, for sure...to his disadvantage obviously!
Sometimes, like you suggested, "just look past that..." Eventually this person, will think about this and will say to himself, " I remember that Derek talk to me about this once, and he was right".
Take the example a baby, this is in his nature to contradict, or saying "no" to anything...when you tell him to not touch fire, he will do the opposite, until he get burn...and will start to cry like a "baby", but you and I know, that he will never do it again...
Peace !!
Derek Young 30+
Example, you walk down the street and you see someone of your own race, completely degrading the other individual on the basis of gender, race, orientation, belief, etc., would you say a few words to try and convince that person?
Mireille Chéry
As for your example, I would probably approach the person that's being degrated, instead of the person that's doing the wrong. Two things will come out from this :
1. You will probably get not beat up and/or get into a fight with the person that's doing the insults.
2. By approaching the "victim" sort of speak, this person will see and learn in the same time, that's not all people of your "race" are the same, and I'm sure the people that are just standing there, will approve your gesture, and come and help. Trust me, this "bad person" will be feeling worthless.
Another thing, don't try to convince someone whose angry, that's insulting others etc., they are not worth your time, your energy or your words.
Cheers
Derek Young 30+
I actually see the reasoning for approaching the victim. I guess as a stranger, looking in on the outside of the situation above. I thought that I could avert the angry persons emotions and have it directed to me, so I could let the "victim" escape, but talking to the reverse of the situation is definitely more of an approachable scenario, where there is less of a chance for anyone to get hurt.
Thanks. =)
Ana Petrovic
I am not trying to sound elitist or plain mean, but there is a lot of truth in this quote: '' Don't waste your time trying to learn pig how to sing opera. You will just lose your precious time and pig will lose its temper. '' Cheers
Derek Young 30+
I totally get how you can feel when someone is imposing their views on others, but partially, some friendly advice or debates can help reshape someone elses narrow-mindedness. Though, most of the times they are too stubborn and unwavering to think outside of their comfort zones.
gale kooser 20+
I am out spoken but I don't shout. I take the middle ground whenever I can & stand aside when I can't.
I am also glad we all are different & each of us has a place in this world.
There can be no day unless you have a night.
My concern is for all living things & learn from each one.
Derek Young 30+
Heather White 10+
"Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. described bigots with the following quote: "The mind of a bigot is like the pupil of the eye; the more light you pour upon it, the more it will contract."
Derek Young 30+
Allan Macdougall 30+
Lamentably, it seems to be in our nature to oppose something by taking a polarized stance against it. It then becomes belief versus belief - both unwilling to move, or to understand. Fundamental atheism has developed as a polarized stance against religion. Feminism has developed as a polarized stance against the male dominated society. The opposing stance thus becomes just as dysfunctional as the thing it tries to oppose - it simply does not work, and makes matters infinitely worse.
I am not always successful, but I try to take a position at the mid-point, between two opposing factions in a topic I am uncomfortable with. By placing myself there, I figure that I am in a better position to communicate and to understand both sides.
This seems to be the best place from which to oppose something and to make a topic comfortable enough for intelligent discussion, instead of the all too common descent into stone-throwing.
Derek Young 30+
The middle ground can sometimes be difficult to spot out without that previous skill of critical thinking though. I have difficulty currently, finding the middle ground when I have my emotions invested in the issue. It is very difficult, but do you have tactics to remove yourself if your are deeply invested in a sticky situation?
Allan Macdougall 30+
I guess the first thing is to try and identify the degree of emotional investment one has in a particular issue, and whether it goes way beyond its brief, so to speak, into a personal belief (I think high emotional investment can be a precursor to belief).
If I recognise it happening to me in a sticky situation, I try to force myself into a position of congruence (putting myself in another person's shoes), so I might gain at least a little understanding of a view that potentially opposes my own. It is not always easy!
My work depends on an ability to do this (I am a counsellor) and when it works, it works well.
Derek Young 30+
Emotions can be good, but sometimes I wish there was an on/off switch for them, then everyone would be great problem solvers, I think?
Sometimes, I find myself trying someone elses "shoes", which could transcend the understanding even more, but of course only the ones you see reasonable. =)
edward long 100+
Derek Young 30+
LOL, you have a funny way of putting a very interesting fact into perspective. I so wish I had the current skills to build my Happy Place, but too bad I am not yet economically sound enough or possibly mentally ready as well.
If you were able to draw the whole image of your Happy Place, what would that place look like? =)
edward long 100+
Derek Young 30+
I googled Maxfield Parrish, and his art is really spectacular, like a scene from the sound of music as they traverse through the mountain to avoid the nazis. I haven't seen pictures with such bright hues before. My view of art has been reshaped. Thank you for that. =)
Mark Kurtz 20+
Normal is what a person accepts in behavior, routine, procedure, and values in everyday life. Abnormal is something out of the ordinary for any topic or aspect of life----as you experience life.
Open mindedness is a willingness to search for and be ready to research or consider what is not normal, at least within ones experience.
People are subject to emotion and this cannot be separated from life, including religion. Have you noticed that some preachers are willing to use excitement, high emotion, light and sound invigoration to stir emotional responses for what they want to teach? And people are willing to hang all their soul on excitement and call their doctrine so built on emotional responses as their religion. I maintain that most people do not really know what is their religion. They know doctrine and teachings, but they have not thoroughly considered WHO they worship. People are willing to evangelize based on what they believe to be true and are wanting you to opt in. Has anyone really considered what you believe? Has anyone really attempted to lead an attractive life that you see is good and would like to include in your life----or religion?
You have nothing to fear if you truly seek higher values and adopt them into your life. You can be open and still think about what you've seen from others as being good.
There are truth seekers and there are evidence seekers. We can be both simultaneously. A truth seeker suspects more and seeks to find what he feels could be true. An evidence seeker looks for support for a current posit, or looks for evidence there must be more!
Mindset can be good or detrimental. A gracious person will offer his best understanding upon request, but yet be open to new possibilities.
You have a good topic going here!
Peace,
MK
Derek Young 30+
Mark Kurtz 20+
A great teacher has said that a good teacher must also be a student and be open to learning. As I am beginning to see everything in life includes some degree of relationship. Everything. If we want to relate well we will realize somebody knows something we don't know and this includes science and religion. Who would be so arrogant as to say to all he knows everything?
As I see it, curiosity is one of life's greatest gifts! Think about this please. How could we explain growth of anything man has done without man being curious? All of mankind's progress is based on many factors, but being curious enough to go in search of truth is vital for any individual and for humanity.
I can't stand on a stage or orange crate and claim to know all. Therefore your knowledge is just as important to me as anything I can share with you. Being open then, is a way of growth for anyone.
Impossible is not in my vocabulary when I have faith in the Mysterious One and His will prevails. This leads to a good question: How can one be faithful and simultaneously closed minded?
We can either learn from one another or closet ourselves in arrogance and darkening relations. Open mindedness leads to good listening and this leads to better friendships.
Enjoy life while learning from everyone! Reach for the better way!
Peace,
MK
Derek Young 30+
Try as I may, thick headed individuals who can't seem to open their minds, I believe have their history or reasons, but they should at least be aware of their own closed-mindedness.
Curiosity is my snack for life! =)
I love this forum!!
Thank you Mark