It is said that the mind is like a parachute, useful only when it is open. How often have we stepped back to reflect on what it means to be open-minded? It is only when we are honest with ourselves will we know how open-minded we truly are.

We all grow up with conditioning in our early years which shapes our thoughts and actions. Our behaviour flows from our internal mapping. Knowing that we need to relook at, and maybe even change some of the hardened conditioning we live with makes us open-minded.

Subtle prejudices enter our mindset even though we may not be aware, or willing to accept this fact. Being aware of why we carry prejudices and going through the struggle of dropping them makes us open-minded.

Most of us love our comfort zone. We may have set ways of doing things and often get disturbed when others try and show us a different way. Being aware and sensitive that someone else may have a need for us to change our ways, makes us open-minded.

In spite of being good at heart and well-meaning, we get hurt because our ego gets hurt. When we adopt the principle ‘what is right, rather than who is right’, we open our minds to being challenged, and even standing corrected without getting hurt.

Sometimes opportunities come in strange ways, but strange is the power of fear which prevents us from exploring a different path in life. Developing faith and learning to listen to our inner voice gives us the courage to be open-minded and objectively evaluate things fearlessly.

Preferences create differences. We are often quick to reject and be critical of something which may be very different than what we like. Learning to see the motive behind something different and taking the trouble to understand things in their essence makes us open-minded.

It doesn’t mean we need to always change something just because it is new or different. There are several things about ourselves which are good and strong which we need to maintain. Giving a patient hearing to a contrary viewpoint, without being judgemental or pre-decided makes us open-minded.

The world and relationships are ever changing. We will go through our share of ups and downs, and each experience helps us grow and develop. And we will soon discover the simple truth – life opens doors for us when we open our minds to life.

(Picture-Lake district, UK )