Many People who Claim to be “Open-Minded” are Actually Narrow-Minded Liberals

“It’s okay, I’m open minded” is a phrase that we tend to hear a lot nowadays. Our society has altered the term and is using it to justify doing some things that a conservative mind can’t comprehend. However, what exactly is open mindedness? Open mindedness is the ability to accept everyone’s views, no matter how different they are. By accepting, it doesn’t mean that you start to believe in it as well, it simply means that you respect your opponent’s opinion. Still, a lot of people who claim to be “open-minded” are actually liberals who are narrow-minded. We, as society, have a huge power which is the ability to set rules according to our liking and just say “this is how it is”.

“that is not open mindedness. That is being blinded by false ideas. The idea that open mindedness = westernized habits.”

Think about it, if you are in school or college, and you see this girl who refuses to shake hands with boys for any reason. What would you think? Would you think “oh she’s too conservative for my liking” or would you be okay with it? This person could be a very open minded person who likes to discover new things. And that is not open mindedness. That is being blinded by false ideas. The idea that open mindedness = westernized habits.

“open mindedness is all about discovering yourself using the knowledge of others”

What we see in American movies, is nothing more than traditions and culture. We, as Egyptians, tend to modify that and categorize it as “having an open mind”. The truth is, we are more American than Americans themselves. We adapted so much of their culture into our lives that we made it half our own, and a way to label “non-conservative” people. Meanwhile; open mindedness is all about discovering yourself using the knowledge of others. You learn everyone’s views and tend to get along with how people think. It is the way you approach people’s views and knowledge, not to live just by bar hopping and recklessness.

So how do we reach the euphoria of open-mindedness? Many have actually claimed that traveling to different countries has allowed them to evolve as human beings. Only seeing the same streets, the same buildings, and the same people will inevitably grant you some sort of restriction in the way you perceive things. Simply because all your life experiences are packed in one place. Also, knowing people’s experiences from different cultures and countries allows you to expand your horizons.

“Only seeing the same streets, the same buildings, and the same people will inevitably grant you some sort of restriction in the way you perceive things”

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but you can tell a lot about a person from the books they read. Since knowledge is power, reading different genres of books could help you gain a new perception on life. Reading different genres of books whether it is fiction, non-fiction, or even scientific books can help you think differently. Spiritual books tend to have some sort of big impact on the reader. Imagine reading a book in silence and the inside voice of your brain is just reading the book out loud. You’d find it saying something like “Patience means knowing it will happen . . . and giving it time to happen.” (Feel the Fear And Do It Anyway, Susan Jeffers). It will trick your brain into feeling that you are actually telling yourself that, and motivate you into seeking a change in your life somehow.

“Meditation always helps in relieving stress, which gives you a clear mind to think with. Opening your mind means letting go of control”

If you aren’t a book lover, you can always train your third eye to always be on the lookout. Meditation always helps in relieving stress, which gives you a clear mind to think with. Opening your mind means letting go of control. You manage to wander in new experiences and ideas that make you more accepting of everyone who is different. And trust me, roaming the earth with an open mind and soul is one of the most exciting things you can experience.