People don’t all have to think like I do or believe as I do. If I’ve learned one thing in life it’s that everyone has their own path and their journey is their own.
But there’s one thing I wish were more prevalent than it is, and that is an open mind–open to possibilities even if they seem impossible.
If it weren’t for open minds, we’d all still be flat-earthers, concerned that we could actually sail right off the edge of the earth. Or we’d believe that the sun revolved around the earth. But scientists open to other possibilities eventually proved that wasn’t the case.
Are they crazy?
Believe me, science is not supportive of those who think differently. The status quo is a safe and secure harbor. So kudos to the “misfits and crazy ones,” as Steve Jobs once noted.
Let me take it in yet another direction. The early followers of Jesus had to have open minds to accept the miracles he performed. These things weren’t “normal.” So for Christianity to take root, people had to suspend disbelief and open their minds to possibilities.
What I find so ironic is that fundamentalist christians often are the most attached to their status quo and their minds are often snapped tightly shut. Oh, the irony.
But here’s the point: If everyone always adhered to the status quo there would be no progress. Science and technology would be at a standstill.
Am I crazy?
And so, it was with that thought in mind that I sat in on a number of presentations at the recent Afterlife Research and Education Institute symposium that would raise eyebrows of those whose minds are tightly closed.
Is it really that fantastical that we might one day be able to communicate with people on the other side? If life is ongoing, which I believe it is, why wouldn’t we? I saw the outcome of early (and crude) attempts to do just that at the symposium. We’ve got a long way to go, but it’s begun.
If we believe in life after death, and many do, would it be so wild to think that famous scientists on the other side are helping scientists here with this kind of research? Or do we prefer our belief that we all float on fluffy clouds singing hymns in heaven?
Maybe crazy is good.
I have never had my already open mind so challenged as it was at these presentations. Presentations in which I found my brain challenging what I was seeing and trying to find flaws in the methodology.
Even though my mind goes directly to disbelief, I am not a scientist. I can’t evaluate methodology or statistical analysis.
When a professor of neurology, a neurosurgeon and others more qualified than I say that consciousness resides outside the brain, I pay attention. Because even though I believe in the existence of a soul that is everlasting, it’s nice to know it from science. Even if some people think this kind of science is crazy. Or the work of the devil. (Got news for them: there IS no devil.)
Crazy IS good!
You may believe the same things I do or you may not. All I’m suggesting today, though, is that you keep an open mind and consider the possibilities–divine possibility even.
So, here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels. They change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. ~Steve Jobs
You know what I’ve always found so interesting? Science is a realm of discovery based on best guesses until something can actually be proven, and SO much of science still can’t be proven. And yet, so many scientists scoff at anything that disagrees with what is generally accepted. Their minds should be the most open, but they are the most closed.
Completely – I found it refreshing that someone like Francis Collins, who is a proponent of intelligent design, was in charge of the human genome mapping project. Not because he’s Christian or any religious agenda, but because he proves that someone can believe in the afterlife, in God, or anything else, and still be a BRILLIANT scientist.
I am more spiritual than religious, and I am very interested in the idea of the law of attraction, everything is energy, what type of energy you put out comes back to you, etc. The idea of being able to communicate with the other side takes open mindedness from both the scientific AND the religious camps, as well as the spiritual energy is everything side. The religious people have to have open mindedness (or as they call it, faith) to believe some of the things they believe. The scientists have to have open mindedness to have the ideas they have about the experiments they create to find out the science behind everything.
I think if we all just stayed open minded about the different kinds of open mindedness, we could come to some sort of general agreement. Miracles happen because of the science the Creator of the universe created. 🙂
Different is always good. Recognizing that others can bring something different and interesting to the table is important for us to see and to learn, and to grow!
Thanks for sharing this!
I love that quote by Steve Jobs. Having an open mind is so important. And I hate how religion really clouds people’s ability to be open to life and change.
I have always been the type of person that I have to see it to believe it. As I get older I have been trying to be a little more open minded about things.
I love this. It drives me crazy how close-minded people can be. We don’t have to agree, we don’t have to share the same beliefs, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get along and be friends.
Couldn’t agree more. Sometimes you just want to be crazy and free yourself. At that time, the best idea will come out. Thanks for sharing this interesting article.
Crazy is awesome! I am very open minded but my husband does not have an open mind at all and it really gets on my nerves. I wish he would be more open minded about things.
I think that if only we all were to embrace what we don’t know and be okay respecting others beliefs and knowing that unless proven inaccurate, wrong or downright not capable then only then maybe we discuss that it’s not real or not possible. So many things people think aren’t possible yet no one can prove for sure they are not possible 😉
I tend to be half closed minded half open-minded. I am more open-minded with religious things and always know that people will have a difference of opinion but it’s always important to remember people aren’t always going to agree.
An open mind is really important especially if you want to continue learning about the world that we live in and how it works. If people were close minded from the very beginning, we wouldn’t have cellphones today or the internet. It’s good to be crazy!
I think it is so important to have an open mind. I was raised Catholic and for a long time, I was very closed off to any idea that didn’t support what I learned in school. Then, when I went to college and started traveling, so much of what I thought and believed changed, and I realized how many possibilities were out there if I just opened my mind.
crazy can definitely be a good thing. following norms doesnt tend to lead to breakthroughs. thinking outside the box might be crazy to society, but it has its merits!
Crazy is relative, I guess. I don’t know how crazy I’d call myself, though my nephew is fond of saying that I march to the beat of my own drummer. He said it because I’m not afraid to chart my own way. I have a vision, and even if I’m the only one who sees and believes, I will chase it to the end. I feel like we’re all here for something. I may not be here to uncover what’s next after this life. Thank goodness someone is. And more power to them!
If by crazy you mean the
propensity to question them that is good. But then all things have be moderated. One cannot have totally open mind for where then is certainty that grounds and stabilizes. What I am against however are excesses in any direction.
You know its actually not that easy to keep an open mind and that’s why do few people have that thing ????I don’t know if science has an answer for it or not but I tell you it’s comes natural to a lot of people.
I definitely believe in the possibility of possibilities! We do not know everything, and it is vital we open our minds to new things in order to learn and grow! <3
I love challenging my mind, especially reading alternative theories about all sorts of things and events. You don’t have to believe everything you read, but just opening your mind to there being other explanations for things…it is truly exhilarating! X
That must have been a fascinating symposium. I don’t believe in religions, although I am a spiritual person and know that our connections to each other do not die when the body dies.
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People don’t all have to think like I do or believe as I do. If I’ve learned one thing in life it’s that everyone has their own path and their journey is their own.
I don’t think anyone will ever find the answers in this lifetime, but they can and should be able to believe whatever they want to 🙂
You know what I’ve always found so interesting? Science is a realm of discovery based on best guesses until something can actually be proven, and SO much of science still can’t be proven. And yet, so many scientists scoff at anything that disagrees with what is generally accepted. Their minds should be the most open, but they are the most closed.
I find that, too.
Completely – I found it refreshing that someone like Francis Collins, who is a proponent of intelligent design, was in charge of the human genome mapping project. Not because he’s Christian or any religious agenda, but because he proves that someone can believe in the afterlife, in God, or anything else, and still be a BRILLIANT scientist.
People with open minds rock!!!
I am more spiritual than religious, and I am very interested in the idea of the law of attraction, everything is energy, what type of energy you put out comes back to you, etc. The idea of being able to communicate with the other side takes open mindedness from both the scientific AND the religious camps, as well as the spiritual energy is everything side. The religious people have to have open mindedness (or as they call it, faith) to believe some of the things they believe. The scientists have to have open mindedness to have the ideas they have about the experiments they create to find out the science behind everything.
I think if we all just stayed open minded about the different kinds of open mindedness, we could come to some sort of general agreement. Miracles happen because of the science the Creator of the universe created. 🙂
Different is always good. Recognizing that others can bring something different and interesting to the table is important for us to see and to learn, and to grow!
Thanks for sharing this!
I love that quote by Steve Jobs. Having an open mind is so important. And I hate how religion really clouds people’s ability to be open to life and change.
Beautifully said! And you definitely walk the walk!
I have always been the type of person that I have to see it to believe it. As I get older I have been trying to be a little more open minded about things.
I love this. It drives me crazy how close-minded people can be. We don’t have to agree, we don’t have to share the same beliefs, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get along and be friends.
Couldn’t agree more. Sometimes you just want to be crazy and free yourself. At that time, the best idea will come out. Thanks for sharing this interesting article.
Crazy is awesome! I am very open minded but my husband does not have an open mind at all and it really gets on my nerves. I wish he would be more open minded about things.
I think that if only we all were to embrace what we don’t know and be okay respecting others beliefs and knowing that unless proven inaccurate, wrong or downright not capable then only then maybe we discuss that it’s not real or not possible. So many things people think aren’t possible yet no one can prove for sure they are not possible 😉
We all have thoughts that other people would consider crazy. It’s great that yours are driven and spiritual thoughts.
I tend to be half closed minded half open-minded. I am more open-minded with religious things and always know that people will have a difference of opinion but it’s always important to remember people aren’t always going to agree.
An open mind is really important especially if you want to continue learning about the world that we live in and how it works. If people were close minded from the very beginning, we wouldn’t have cellphones today or the internet. It’s good to be crazy!
I think it is so important to have an open mind. I was raised Catholic and for a long time, I was very closed off to any idea that didn’t support what I learned in school. Then, when I went to college and started traveling, so much of what I thought and believed changed, and I realized how many possibilities were out there if I just opened my mind.
Such an interesting read and great food for thought.Love that Steve Jobs quote!
I love people with open minds! It’s great to be different and to try new things.
Being crazy is awesome! But i do think we are all unique and different in our own ways which is also a good thing too!
crazy can definitely be a good thing. following norms doesnt tend to lead to breakthroughs. thinking outside the box might be crazy to society, but it has its merits!
Totally agree with this –> “If everyone always adhered to the status quo there would be no progress. Science and technology would be at a standstill.”
Crazy is relative, I guess. I don’t know how crazy I’d call myself, though my nephew is fond of saying that I march to the beat of my own drummer. He said it because I’m not afraid to chart my own way. I have a vision, and even if I’m the only one who sees and believes, I will chase it to the end. I feel like we’re all here for something. I may not be here to uncover what’s next after this life. Thank goodness someone is. And more power to them!
If by crazy you mean the
propensity to question them that is good. But then all things have be moderated. One cannot have totally open mind for where then is certainty that grounds and stabilizes. What I am against however are excesses in any direction.
I love that you included the quote from Steve Jobs. I don’t know if we will ever know the right answer.
I love crazy. It separates from the every day, regular from those that stand out. Such a great post!
I like to think I am quite open minded! I am trying to make sure that I am respectful of others even if it is something I don’t follow or believe in.
You know its actually not that easy to keep an open mind and that’s why do few people have that thing ????I don’t know if science has an answer for it or not but I tell you it’s comes natural to a lot of people.
Open mind is a thing where all of us need to come out of our prejudicial mindset and see the situation !!
What a good article and I love to read more about this, it’s great that my hubby was much open minded than me.
I definitely believe in the possibility of possibilities! We do not know everything, and it is vital we open our minds to new things in order to learn and grow! <3
Crazy is beautiful <3
I love challenging my mind, especially reading alternative theories about all sorts of things and events. You don’t have to believe everything you read, but just opening your mind to there being other explanations for things…it is truly exhilarating! X
That must have been a fascinating symposium. I don’t believe in religions, although I am a spiritual person and know that our connections to each other do not die when the body dies.