how open are you, really?
we say we are open to possibilities,
we say we are open to feedback,
we say we are open to love,
we say we are open to trying new things —
but are you really as open as you say you are?
are you easily offended?
is it hard for you to accept what others are doing + saying without bias?
won’t lie to you — it can be hard to be completely open.
the moment our ideas are challenged, we can become defensive:
“that’s not true!”
“how could you even think that way?” (non rhetorical)
“get over it — i didn’t mean it that way!”
“that doesn’t even make good sense…”
“i can see who paid attention in ____ class…”
you don’t know everything, fam (that was for me, too, btw).
you aren’t privy to everyone’s experiences,
you haven’t been in their shoes, +
you don’t know what it’s like to be in their world.
challenge your perspective.
it reminds me of how two people can read the same book,
watch the same show or movie,
or attend the same sporting event +
have a completely different experience.
yes, two people are doing the same activities, but their perspectives are different so the impact these activities have on them may differ, too.
all of this leads me to say this: connect with others.
show more empathy + understanding.
listen to others’ experiences.
be willing to learn from what they say + do.
truly open your mind, your heart, + your ears —
whether you agree or disagree, that’s for you to decide, sis.
it’s not about right or wrong,
it’s about your ability to be open to it all.
be you, be dope!
Phylicia Sadsarin
Mindset Coach
journal prompt(s) for today:
| do you feel like you are fully open to life’s infinite possibilities? in what areas are you closed off — where do you feel you can open up more in your life? |