Why are we sometimes wary of
the things we are not used to? Should we dismiss anything that is not as we
expect it to be? The answers to these two questions lie in our beliefs about us
and life. Since birth, we have been raised with a specific set of values and,
as we grow up we adopt a belief system about everything we know. The flaw in
the upbringing of most people is that they have not been taught how to keep an
open mind. We instinctively reject anything that seem out of place compare to
what we know, we feel unease when faced with things that are different from the
truth we are accustomed to. This reaction even though counterproductive is
understandable given the fact that, we can only reason from our beliefs and any
every time an information or behaviour contradicts our belief, our first
reaction is to dismiss it as untrue or not plausible.
There are countless examples
of people and sometimes communities dismissing information or a theory as an untrue
just because it is different from what they are used to and hold to be true.
More than thirty years ago, many experts argued that it was not possible for a
human being to run a mile under four minutes. For a long time, this was held as
truth until Roger Bannister decided to prove them wrong by running a mile under
four minutes. Since that feat of human miracle, many of people have done the
same proving that what is true today could be wrong tomorrow. The beliefs you
were raised with as a child might not be necessary true today, either because
times have changed or because they were never true at the time they were fed to
you.
As an adult it is your
responsibility to question you beliefs about life and constantly testing them
to see if they are as useful to you today as they were relevant to you as a
child. You might have an excuse that as a child you did not know any better
and, had to accept what people around you including your parents were telling
you. That excuse is no longer valid for an adult who has the ability to test
his or her beliefs, to see if those beliefs are a hindrance to your progress or
assets you have to keep.
The best policy is to always
keep an open mind, never dismiss anything before first trying to see if it
could add to your knowledge through learning. Life is a learning process and if
you want to really grow as a person and achieve any long lasting success, you
have to keep learning. The mistake you can make is limiting your knowledge by
staying away from the things you don’t understand or dismissing what is in
conflict we what you hold to be true. Smart people never refuse to listen and
study something because it is different; they always take the time to listen to
see how could benefit them.
It is understandable to
dismiss something if there is a gap between the story and the evidence not
because it contrary to your beliefs. Sometimes even things that are not making
sense to you could still be true, it is therefore important to leave your personal
beliefs aside if you want to make any objective assessment. You are entitled to
have an opinion but always asked yourself if your beliefs are helping you in
your choices or making you miss out on many opportunities. Remember that what
is different is not always wrong; learn to keep an open mind and do not be
hasty in your judgement.
CHRISTIAN
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