To me, there is nothing more inviting than talking with an open-minded person - the type who considers new ideas (other than their own), is really good at listening, and can see things from various viewpoints. I find it to be of great importance to have an open-mind, not only because it's beneficial to the individual but to the people in their life as well. So many positives come from being open-minded that it makes me wonder how close-minded people have gone this long without wanting to switch sides! Having an open-mind benefits your life because it:
1) INCREASES YOUR OPPORTUNITIES
When you allow yourself to be an open book new chances and opportunities arise that wouldn't have before. Going from being close-minded to open-minded can be described as a veil being lifted up from your eyes. Once that veil is lifted ,you see how versatile life actually is and how there's never only one option...but an endless amount of them.
2) ALLOWS YOU TO BE MORE ACCEPTING OF UNCERTAINTY
When you live life having an open-mind you understand that not everything will always go your way. Open-minded people understand this notion and accept that life can't always be controlled exactly how they want it to be. Close-minded people don't understand this (or just don't want to) and only see their set ways of living to be the only option, if it doesn't work the way they want it to? Mayhem.
3) HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND OTHERS BETTER
When you have an open-mind it makes 'putting yourself in someone else's shoes' more possible. As an open-minded person you are interested in conversing with others not to just converse, but because you actually want to hear their insights, their reactions and/or personal stories - doing so helps you understand that person and people in general much more.
4) HELPS YOU TAKE RISKS / BREAK BARRIERS
Most of what holds us all back from breaking away from the norm is fear. When we learn to not always say "no" we learn that a lot of good comes from it. Saying "yes" to things you usually wouldn't agree to helps open new doors in life - once this happens your world blossoms.
5) INCREASES YOUR LEVEL OF TOLERANCE
Open-minded people are known for being more understanding and having more patience than someone who is close-minded. For example, with an open-mind your tolerance of the things some people do won't annoy you, as much as they would a close-minded person, because you are more aware that there may be a deeper reason for why that person is behaving the way they are. At the end of day, open-minded people are more prone to give others the benefit of the doubt instead of just determining that they're wrong.
6) MAKES YOU MORE APPROACHABLE AND RELATEABLE
Like I said before, there is nothing more inviting than talking to an open-minded person. Think of your ideal friend - the one that genuinely listens to you without judging, and is open to new ideas that you suggest all while giving their honest input and advice. The best kinds of people are those who can be approached by anyone, make you comfortable in your own skin, and teach people lessons without even realizing it.
...the overall benefit and best quote about open-mindedness I've come across so far?
"Your world flourishes. It’s like only being able to see black and white and suddenly realizing that many shades of color exist. Your pallet is expanded from only having two possibilities to now having hundreds of options. Your selection is more plentiful and you’re not so boxed in with minimal selections."
Are you an open-minded person?
Do you agree that being open-minded is more beneficial to your life?
If you're not open-minded, will you try to be after reading this post?
xx Ash