I've been reading a book that references the cynicism of adulthood in comparison to the open-mindedness of childhood, and it got me thinking...

Children know the right way to live -- with wide-open eyes, taking everything seriously, believing unreservedly, following what their hearts tell them. We as adults train ourselves out of that because we are afraid of being vulnerable. We were not taught that we were of infinite value, or that we deserve love -- we were wounded in our delicate, open youth and so we have learned that to be open is to be hurt. But that is the only way to truly live, to experience the depth of joy in life. There's a part of the Bible that tells of how these little children wanted to be near Jesus, and the disciples tried to send them away because "We're having grown-up talk right now, very important, and we have no time for you." Jesus scolded them and told them that unless they become as vulnerable and open as a child they would never be able to truly connect with divinity. Then he joyfully blessed the children. ( the non-paraphrased version )

Our world is fucked up and if we are open, we WILL be hurt. But also, being open and willing to give and receive without reservation is the only way we will ever heal our world. So we have to accept the pain and decide that it is worth it... only then will we be able to truly connect with each other and with God/dess (whatever we perceive her/him to be). Also, we need to recognize that children have the same worth as adults, and we need open minds and hearts to learn from them. We are all on the same journey, regardless of age.

- - - b e a u t y - - -
please watch the whole thing, it is so worth it
That video made me cry and cry with sheer joy that there are people who live so lovingly.
When Hannah comes to visit this time, she and I and lil sis are going to visit ♥

I've been reading a book that references the cynicism of adulthood in comparison to the open-mindedness of childhood, and it got me thinking...

Children know the right way to live -- with wide-open eyes, taking everything seriously, believing unreservedly, following what their hearts tell them. We as adults train ourselves out of that because we are afraid of being vulnerable. We were not taught that we were of infinite value, or that we deserve love -- we were wounded in our delicate, open youth and so we have learned that to be open is to be hurt. But that is the only way to truly live, to experience the depth of joy in life. There's a part of the Bible that tells of how these little children wanted to be near Jesus, and the disciples tried to send them away because "We're having grown-up talk right now, very important, and we have no time for you." Jesus scolded them and told them that unless they become as vulnerable and open as a child they would never be able to truly connect with divinity. Then he joyfully blessed the children. ( the non-paraphrased version )

Our world is fucked up and if we are open, we WILL be hurt. But also, being open and willing to give and receive without reservation is the only way we will ever heal our world. So we have to accept the pain and decide that it is worth it... only then will we be able to truly connect with each other and with God/dess (whatever we perceive her/him to be). Also, we need to recognize that children have the same worth as adults, and we need open minds and hearts to learn from them. We are all on the same journey, regardless of age.

- - - b e a u t y - - -
please watch the whole thing, it is so worth it
That video made me cry and cry with sheer joy that there are people who live so lovingly.
When Hannah comes to visit this time, she and I and lil sis are going to visit ♥

I've been reading a book that references the cynicism of adulthood in comparison to the open-mindedness of childhood, and it got me thinking...

Children know the right way to live -- with wide-open eyes, taking everything seriously, believing unreservedly, following what their hearts tell them. We as adults train ourselves out of that because we are afraid of being vulnerable. We were not taught that we were of infinite value, or that we deserve love -- we were wounded in our delicate, open youth and so we have learned that to be open is to be hurt. But that is the only way to truly live, to experience the depth of joy in life. There's a part of the Bible that tells of how these little children wanted to be near Jesus, and the disciples tried to send them away because "We're having grown-up talk right now, very important, and we have no time for you." Jesus scolded them and told them that unless they become as vulnerable and open as a child they would never be able to truly connect with divinity. Then he joyfully blessed the children. ( the non-paraphrased version )

Our world is fucked up and if we are open, we WILL be hurt. But also, being open and willing to give and receive without reservation is the only way we will ever heal our world. So we have to accept the pain and decide that it is worth it... only then will we be able to truly connect with each other and with God/dess (whatever we perceive her/him to be). Also, we need to recognize that children have the same worth as adults, and we need open minds and hearts to learn from them. We are all on the same journey, regardless of age.

- - - b e a u t y - - -
please watch the whole thing, it is so worth it
That video made me cry and cry with sheer joy that there are people who live so lovingly.
When Hannah comes to visit this time, she and I and lil sis are going to visit ♥

I've posted this twice before, I think... now it has altered slightly, and it seems like a good time to repost.

open-mindedness is NOT:
----having no opinions of your own but agreeing with everyone else's
----agreeing with whatever is most liberal at the time
----having liberal or unpopular opinions which you do not permit to change
----allowing your opinions to be swayed once in a blue moon
----forming opinions based on one point of view
----having no guidelines for what you wish to saturate your mind with

openmindedness IS:
forming opinions based on a fair assessment of several differing points of view -- and then allowing your opinions to change upon learning new, convincing information.

Thus, to be openminded you MUST:
----be willing to research several differing points of view before forming an opinion
----be willing to have an unpopular opinion
----be willing to alter your perception of reality
----believe that what is true for yourself may not be true for others

(based on these principles, this list will be altered as I think on it more. Feel free to share your own ideas)

( I have been accused of being closed-minded for not wanting to read the book 'Lolita'... )

We are all responsible for what we allow to influence us; for that reason, I do not saturate my mind with just anything.

I've posted this twice before, I think... now it has altered slightly, and it seems like a good time to repost.

open-mindedness is NOT:
----having no opinions of your own but agreeing with everyone else's
----agreeing with whatever is most liberal at the time
----having liberal or unpopular opinions which you do not permit to change
----allowing your opinions to be swayed once in a blue moon
----forming opinions based on one point of view
----having no guidelines for what you wish to saturate your mind with

openmindedness IS:
forming opinions based on a fair assessment of several differing points of view -- and then allowing your opinions to change upon learning new, convincing information.

Thus, to be openminded you MUST:
----be willing to research several differing points of view before forming an opinion
----be willing to have an unpopular opinion
----be willing to alter your perception of reality
----believe that what is true for yourself may not be true for others

(based on these principles, this list will be altered as I think on it more. Feel free to share your own ideas)

( I have been accused of being closed-minded for not wanting to read the book 'Lolita'... )

We are all responsible for what we allow to influence us; for that reason, I do not saturate my mind with just anything.

I've posted this twice before, I think... now it has altered slightly, and it seems like a good time to repost.

open-mindedness is NOT:
----having no opinions of your own but agreeing with everyone else's
----agreeing with whatever is most liberal at the time
----having liberal or unpopular opinions which you do not permit to change
----allowing your opinions to be swayed once in a blue moon
----forming opinions based on one point of view
----having no guidelines for what you wish to saturate your mind with

openmindedness IS:
forming opinions based on a fair assessment of several differing points of view -- and then allowing your opinions to change upon learning new, convincing information.

Thus, to be openminded you MUST:
----be willing to research several differing points of view before forming an opinion
----be willing to have an unpopular opinion
----be willing to alter your perception of reality
----believe that what is true for yourself may not be true for others

(based on these principles, this list will be altered as I think on it more. Feel free to share your own ideas)

( I have been accused of being closed-minded for not wanting to read the book 'Lolita'... )

We are all responsible for what we allow to influence us; for that reason, I do not saturate my mind with just anything.

open-mindedness is NOT:
----having no opinions of your own but agreeing with everyone else's
----agreeing with whatever is most liberal at the time
----having liberal or unpopular opinions which you do not permit to change
----allowing your opinions to be swayed once in a blue moon
----forming opinions based on one point of view
----having no guidelines for what you wish to saturate your mind with

openmindedness IS:
forming opinions based on a fair assessment of several differing points of view -- and then allowing your opinions to change upon learning new, convincing information.

Thus, to be openminded you MUST:
----be willing to research several differing points of view before forming an opinion
----be willing to have an unpopular opinion
----be willing to alter your perception of reality
----believe that what is true for yourself may not be true for others


(based on these principles, this list will be altered as I think on it more. Feel free to share your own ideas)

open-mindedness is NOT:
----having no opinions of your own but agreeing with everyone else's
----agreeing with whatever is most liberal at the time
----having liberal or unpopular opinions which you do not permit to change
----allowing your opinions to be swayed once in a blue moon
----forming opinions based on one point of view
----having no guidelines for what you wish to saturate your mind with

openmindedness IS:
forming opinions based on a fair assessment of several differing points of view -- and then allowing your opinions to change upon learning new, convincing information.

Thus, to be openminded you MUST:
----be willing to research several differing points of view before forming an opinion
----be willing to have an unpopular opinion
----be willing to alter your perception of reality
----believe that what is true for yourself may not be true for others


(based on these principles, this list will be altered as I think on it more. Feel free to share your own ideas)

open-mindedness is NOT:
----having no opinions of your own but agreeing with everyone else's
----agreeing with whatever is most liberal at the time
----having liberal or unpopular opinions which you do not permit to change
----allowing your opinions to be swayed once in a blue moon
----forming opinions based on one point of view
----having no guidelines for what you wish to saturate your mind with

openmindedness IS:
forming opinions based on a fair assessment of several differing points of view -- and then allowing your opinions to change upon learning new, convincing information.

Thus, to be openminded you MUST:
----be willing to research several differing points of view before forming an opinion
----be willing to have an unpopular opinion
----be willing to alter your perception of reality
----believe that what is true for yourself may not be true for others


(based on these principles, this list will be altered as I think on it more. Feel free to share your own ideas)