Are you OPEN enough? A Rule of Thumb to Live By…

Many of us are concerned about how we are progressing through life and as a result we may analyze our personal development.  We may integrate tried and true approaches and philosophies into our lives in the hopes of improving those aspects we are interested in improving.  Being more focused, staying in the present moment, being more patient, slowing down, changing our perspective, etc.

The alternaview:
The alternaview is that although there are many useful techniques and strategies that we can and should focus on, asking ourselves if we are open enough is a different, but useful approach we can also integrate into our everyday lives.  So, what does it mean to be open?

Being open means we are more than just open minded in the traditional sense…we literally approach everything we come into contact with a more free and interested perspective.  Being open means we enjoy not being pinned down to doing and seeing things the way we always have.  It means we are always on the look out for a better and an improved way.  It’s a flexible way of living that allows us to either look at or do things a little differently than we may ordinarily be accustomed to.  We release the expectation of everything always being status quo.

If we are truly open, then we should be able to see all of the benefits associated with being open in many aspects of our life.  We should see things changing and evolving in our lives for the better because we are more free and welcome to allow that change.  It is a rewarding way to live.

When we genuinely want to integrate this alternaview into life:

We make sure we are…

1. OPEN minded with more malleable perspectives. We don’t go into discussions assuming a different perspective is wrong from the start, but rather we openly listen. It is not just about us convincing other people why we are right, but rather hearing them out and believing that people may actually present compelling perspectives that could impact or change our perspective.

2. OPEN to different ideas. We understand there may be a better idea out there about how to do something other than the one we have always relied on.  We are open to discovering and hearing different ideas and we evaluate ideas and determine their effectiveness regardless of whether or not the idea runs counter to our original beliefs.

3. OPEN to suggestions about our own personal traits and characteristics. We welcome and seek out the thoughts people have about us and our personalities.  We are open to constructive criticism and we value other people’s suggestions about how we can personally improve.

4. OPEN to change. We are open to change those things about ourselves and our philosophies that are not working to our best advantage.  We are open to change in general, whether it be people or circumstances.  We are accepting of new realities.

5. OPEN to being OPEN. We are literally open and share certain parts of ourselves with others.  We are open to knocking down any walls or barriers and allowing people to see us and appreciate us for who we are.  We are open to get to know people that ordinarily fall outside of our social circles.  We appreciate all different types of people and things.

So, the key is really asking yourself if you are being open in all aspects of your life.  The next time an issue at work or at home arises, or you find yourself in a situation where you are getting frustrated or annoyed…ask yourself if you are truly being open…this is the alternaview.

What are your thoughts about this alternaview?

Are you open?