The Perks of Being Open Minded

Everybody has their line of judgement. There's things they like and don't like in people and it's a fairly natural reaction whenever we come into contact with something or someone new or different.
But more and more I've realised the benefits of being open minded in everything I do. And I mean everything. Not just music, food or film, but people, places and ways of thinking. Spreading oneself among different kinds of everything they come into contact with can have so many benefits on the body and mind.

To be fair I live in a pretty one dimensional place. It's fairly Anglo Saxon oriented, not much conflict between cultures and there's a general sense of wholeness among the youth. I can't really say I'm an expert in experiencing things outside my comfort zone, but I'm beginning to get out there as much as possible: explore new places, listen to music I usually shun and eat foods I never thought I'd like.

"the concept of yin-yang ... is used to describe how opposite or contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world; and, how they give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another." Photo Credit: Katie Howden

People often speak of the "well rounded" person. An ideal being that has an air of completeness, knowledge and maturity. I totally feel like this ideal is positive, and not one to aspire to through sticking to conventions of knowledge and maturity, but to put yourself on more than one side of the fence in whatever you do. Now of course I don't mean to be opinionless or generally indifferent, but to understand that there are two sides to everything and the balances that work in society to create dynamic and diverse cultures that each of us are a part of. It basically comes down to ignorance. When one completely rejects a thought without experiencing it first, it closes down the opportunity to learn, grow and continue the possible line of thinking.When this is repeated, it eventually creates a biased or apathetic person, one who refuses to interact with those outside their personal culture.

Basically what I'm trying to say is don't be afraid to try new things. Don't be afraid to disagree to a decision with only two options. Compromise, reason and reap the benefits of learning from both sides of an argument. When you become open minded you do just that: opening your mind to something that is bigger than yourself. Bigger than your opinions or ideals or prior judgement. You've got nothing to lose.

Kacey xx