The Importance of Keeping an Open Mind: An Opinions Article

Dear reader: You may hate this, but that’s ok. You have the freedom to turn the page when you’d like. I was asked to write this article about anything, so I started typing away the many random things that run through my mind. I thought this would make interesting thoughts or conversation. I talk about religion, but know I very much enjoy the concept of all religions coexisting, I simply use it as a relatable example. Please do not take anything in this article offensively. I just want to open the minds of the readers to different ways of thought.

Personally, I feel like many of my opinions are pretty neutral, except when it comes to chances to save money. My inner “Mommy Dearest” reveals itself when it comes to electricity overages or a clean kitchen, and don’t even ask about wire hangers.

When I was asked to write an article for this little chunk of paper you’re holding, I had no idea what to write about because I don’t really have an unbearably strong opinion on anything. I feel like I’m always open to new ideas and ways of thought.

Opinions are pretty cool things, but they can cause so much hate. It sucks when you and someone you care about don’t see eye to eye. Sometimes it’s easier to just agree, trust me, I do it, but you never know what you can learn from just listening to an opinion.

Just listening, or reading, doesn’t mean you have to accept it. 

Sometimes it can just be interesting to think about.

I feel like opinions can be so strong that it just shuts down one’s ability to grow, to try new things, learn new things or think in different ways. This could be applied to anything from food to religion.

Pope Francis. Now there’s a man with an openmind. He’s said some pretty amazing things recently, and I’m not really religious, but the things he says just make you sit and think. I was on Facebook when a friend of mine shared an image with the following quote;

“It is not necessary to believe in God to be a good person. In a way, the traditional notion of God is outdated. One can be spiritual, but not religious. It is not necessary to go to church and give money – for many, nature can be a church. Some of the best people in history did not believe in God, while some of the worst deeds were done in His name.” 

 Is this guy not the essence of peace? Better yet, I think he describes the original idea of America pretty well.

We are the melting pot. We are the new world. We are the land of the free.

So why do we hate on opinions so often? Why do we still see in color, in gender, in appearance? Why do we not try that fish dish on the menu? What if we opened our minds and tried that fish dish, it could be our new favorite thing. I’m no zen master, but I think if we each had an open mind, an open heart, an open opinion on opinions, then we could literally make this campus, this nation, this world a new peaceful place.

Hopefully that makes your mind whirr a little bit. If you thought it was crap that’s ok, I understand. I’ve always wanted to write something like this, so why not try.

Thanks for giving this a read.

*Graphic designed by ME*