Find Peace and Happiness by Opening Your Mind

One of the challenges we face today, is a rush to silence opposing opinions. From politics, to social issues, some people seek to make everything cookie-cutter — one way to think, act and even one way to speak. We’re quickly moving to an “all or nothing” approach to life.

A range of ideas

I was sent a video clip of a news interview with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and in that interview, the eloquent Mr. Thomas spoke of the importance that we be open to new ideas and differing opinions. Watch the video clip to hear how Mr. Thomas addresses the challenge to freedom of thought and expression:

“We’re getting quite comfortable in our society limiting ideas and exposure to ideas. Today we seem to think that everything has to be one size fits all and that you can’t have opinions that make us uncomfortable or ideas that make us uncomfortable, or that we don’t agree with.” — Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas

When we’re confident in ourselves and we’re comfortable with our own personal views and opinions, we’re unafraid to be challenged or to consider other views and opinions. The problem today is too many people are closing off — becoming intransigent and lashing out when their views are questioned.

If we’re secure with ourselves as individuals and we’ve based our views and opinions on truth and fact, then why should we ever be threatened by the opinions of others? An open mind leads to an open and giving heart. To be tolerant and broad-minded, is to be a positive, well-rounded human being. We should never close our minds off to new ideas or new ways of doing things, because maybe…just maybe, someone else is right.