Open mindedness: what it really is and how to cultivate this essential character trait.

 

Often times, we meet new, different people and we discover some are amazing and want to keep them as friends or something more. Having friends with whom you can have intellectual conversations with is a whole blessing as you never run out of topics to talk about and the whole conversation never gets boring, and you also get to learn from them. Overtime, I've discovered that there's a point at which two people do not agree and it is very normal. Even identical twins have their differences too, how much more two separate persons from different parts of the world.

This point of disagreement determines two things; whether they're worth keeping as friends or they're better off as acquaintances. 

Open minded people are one of the best things in the world. They give you the opportunity to explain whatever it is you have in mind and also give their minds the opportunity to digest what you've said before giving replies. Their replies are almost never biased. This is because they've given their mind the opportunity to see things from your point of view and not just theirs. 

Open minded people are always willing to learn. They don't believe they know it all as no one is an island. They're good conversationalists. They want to listen to your opinion as much as they want to give theirs. Their lives revolve around learning. When they're in arguments, they never make the other feel inferior for having a differing opinion from theirs. 

Now ask yourself, "am I open minded?" It's okay if your answer is no. You have the opportunity to turn a new leaf and be a better person.

Being open minded doesn't imply indecisiveness. An open minded person steps out of their comfort zone to seek for more knowledge; they want to know why they might be wrong in their own judgement. They seek concrete and active evidence. It is a positive character trait that enables one think critically and rationally. 

In order to maintain healthy relationships with people, one has to be able to always think things from the other person's perspective. You can not always be right. An open minded person entertains various ideas and concepts and information. They're flexible and able to adapt as they're always down for learning.

Everybody loves an open minded person. Don't just hear, make sure you listen to people's opinion, even when they're different from yours. Nobody likes being told they're wrong. If you really value the relationship/friendship, then you can teach them why their opinion is a fallacy, and that's after you must've examined it from their own point of view.

Some useful tips on keeping or developing an open mind:

• When you hear differing opinions, fight the urge to react in anger, rather try and digest the other person's opinion and examine it from their point of view. Think of one thousand and one reasons why they might be right. If you still don't understand from their point of view, ask politely that they explain.
• Have it in your mind that you can't always be right and it's okay because you're not immortal, you're human; flesh and blood.
• Be social. Make new friends. When you make new friends, you'd practice open mindedness more often. You would understand that there are several sides to a topic; even a coin has two sides. You would also be learning from them too.
• Maintain a calm countenance. Don't put yourself on the edge trying to prove a point. Have it in mind that you cannot always be right. Open up your mind and learn new things.
• Listen more than you talk. When you listen more, you're able to think more before talking. A person who talks more, listens less. Good listeners are good friends and hold meaningful conversations.
• Never look down on anyone irrespective of their age or status. They might be younger but may know better than you do, and might be of a lesser social status, but are more enlightened about given topics. Open your mind and watch yourself become better.

Follow these simple steps and watch yourself become the great person you never thought you could be and also get the ability to learn very easily from every and any person.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. You can also add your special tips to being open minded if you feel I missed any. Don't forget to subscribe and visit my blog regularly. Thank you.