If you want to live the peaceful life you imagine, you must start now.
“Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in awhile, or the light won’t come in.” —Alan Alda
Open your mind . . .
An open mind is receptive and willing to consider new ideas and different points of view. Though your opinions and core values may not change, your way of thinking will. With an open mind, you are more tolerant and compassionate. You are better able to cope with and accept change. You can embrace life as it is and enjoy it fully without caring to pass judgment.
We all judge. It’s learned behavior. From an early age, we are judged on our appearance, our performance in school, our talents, athletic skills, education, how much money we make, how and where we live, the kind of car we drive, the clothes we wear . . . the list goes on and on.
We, in turn, judge people on values and convictions firmly fixed during our formative years.
Judging people, in itself, is not bad. It helps us to strive for our best selves. But what happens when we do not live up to other people’s expectations or others, in our eyes, fail to meet the standards we have set?
It’s a bad thing to spew negative indictments when people disappoint us or fail . . . when things don’t go our way . . . or when others do not agree with our way of thinking. We get annoyed, frustrated, angry, hateful, and sad. The root cause of these negative emotions is an inflexible mind that refuses to acknowledge other possibilities or deviate from fixed values, judgments, and beliefs.
Let it go. Leave your comfort zone. Be open to the way things are, to changes that have happened, to new ideas and possibilities. Focus on your life at this precise moment. Breathe. Accept. Be grateful. Open your heart.
It is essential for self-growth to realize that people everywhere share the same human struggles. Understanding others helps us to better understand ourselves. We look at things differently. We grow more tolerant, forgiving, and compassionate; and, in the process, develop an acceptance of and genuine appreciation for others, our environment, and ourselves.
We could use a little compassion and tolerance these days. When we learn to accept “what is” without passing judgment, our hearts open for a greater sense of love and peace.
“The more you understand, the more you look, the greater is your enjoyment of life and your sense of peace.” —Anne Rice