Open Mind, Open Heart

It must take a lifetime of learning to refine how we view things.  When I was a child I thought like a child.  Now as a mature woman I am continually rethinking what I thought I knew.  Reminds me of the King of Siam in “The King and I”, who realized the only thing for certain that he knew was that he did not know.

There’s an old story of a young bride preparing a roast for dinner.  She carefully cut it in half, placed it in 2 pans, and cooked.  When asked why she did it that way she responded that this was how her mother always did it.  Puzzled, she asked her mother, who explained she didn’t have a large enough pan.

It is liberating to examine our behavior and thought with the possibility there may be a better way, a broader view, and a greater possibility.  It is harder to see the world through the eyes of our children because our role is to teach and guide.  And through the eyes of our grandchildren, their world is so very different.  Perhaps there is safety or comfort in living with blinders on, but being open to different views, approaches, beliefs and behaviors is altogether challenging, exciting and enriching.  We must know our own truth and allow it to be broadened, colored and enhanced by respecting and hearing others’ truth.

Opening our minds can’t help but open our hearts as well.