Being Open Minded

I strongly encourage people to be strongly open-minded.

I was thinking the other day about an idea I have heard several times throughout my life. This idea encourages people to form no absolute opinion. It says a person, to remain open-minded, must not form their own opinions. It is said in different ways and inferred through different teachings but the idea is there.

So, I pondered on this idea. If a teaching is true and good then everyone can apply the teaching into their life. So, what would happen if every single person in a group maintained this idea in their own life? At first it might seem that a great exchange of ideas and grown might take place if we make a default judgement of our western prejudices. However, what ideas might be exchanged? If nobody has an opinion to give, share, or discuss how can there be an exchange of ideas? Nobody would be dedicated enough to any idea to seek it out further.

Progression would not occur. At all.

I think the truth is, though, that people naturally tend toward opinions. The hard part is making opinions based on sound sound judgment. If every person thought their opinions through and did not form opinions until they has thought about it (even just a little in some cases), the world would quickly progress toward a Zion-like society.

Forming opinions is necessary to progression of any kind.

Gifts

We often hear that everyone has at least one gift.

I just saw "Good Will Hunting" for the first time. It was finally on television at a time when I could watch it (i.e. I could finally watch an edited version). What a movie! It did not have the raw impact that A Beautiful Mind, Contact, or Braveheart had on me but it had a certain effect on me.

Every single person I have ever met on this planet has some great and, to me, obvious gift. This does not include small or passing trivial talents (ex. the ability to shoot a water bottle cap twenty feet) but rather lasting and impactful abilities. I have discovered more often than I would expect that the recipients of these gifts are not even aware of them.

So, the point: In light of a message of Good Will Hunting (that those with great gifts should share and apply those gifts simply because others cannot), I would like to encourage whoever may read this to (1) discover a great gift you have and (2) use it for good. If you are not aware of any great gifts, ponder deeply and focusedly on you, what you do, and what effects you have. If you need more help, ask an intelligent, loyal, and caring friend. I have also found prayer to be a great way to discover the self. Our Father in Heaven loves to show us what we do good if we promise to use it for good.

Oh, and don't work for the NSA. :o)