Have you ever talked to someone about a topic that you feel normal, but for him it is strange? For example when you talk about fried scorpions which are a very popular Japanese food, he suddenly feels disgust, fear, and have an urge to quickly change the subject. When invited to talk about death metal you are directly linked with the devil!

In the opposite, have you ever talk to someone who you really comfortable talking about anything: from the strange kind of music, strange food, to sex and she did not feel there is anything weird? In fact, the conversation became more interesting!

The people of this second type I call an interesting person. What makes them interesting? They are comfortable talking about anything because they never close their mind to new ideas. They accept new ideas, they talk about silly things that they themselves sometimes difficult to believe, but they have principles, so even if they accept new things they are not easy to be affected.

This is called open minded.

“Someone who has an open mind is one who can accept the ideas or new information.” – Wikipedia

The openness of our minds to accept something new beyond the tolerance limit of our understanding indicates that we are able to open ourselves to anything that might shake our principles. As we know, it is not easy to accept other’s principles and even contrary to our principles of thinking.

Open-mindedness is also a measure of tolerance and how much we are to understand the flexibilities of other people’s thinking. In other words how we look one thing from others perspective. One thing to remember: in order to understand I don’t have to approve.

Every ideas and thoughts that we had isn’t only from someone else. It could also be gathered from our daily activities. We ought to have a sense of curiosity to know more.

We live in a world that is constantly changing. In order to get along, we must open ourselves to new experiences and new way to observe something. Take a look at today’s technology, if we are not up to date on the internet, hp, Ipod, BlackBerry, we’ll miss all the fun stuff. Up to date doesn’t mean you have to buy the latest cell phone. You just have to know that they are exists.

People who have an open mind are people who are willing to change their perspective when faced with the facts and evidence. And people who do not willing to adjust the perspective and so maintain the principles (idealist) will feel less satisfied, not to mention bored.

If we restrict ourselves only with what we already know and feel comfortable enough with what is, over time will be left behind and frustrated.

Being open-minded also very helpful in problem solving. You bet, because you have a lot of new information previously received. First, this ability encourages us to see more than one way to look at a problem; then finding more ways to solve it. With a lot of choices, the best solution is also more likely to get.

Finally, open minded helps us to expand knowledge. The more information you know, you will become an increasingly attractive. You have many topics to talk about! By making themselves into open minded, can also attract people to join an open mind (but not all people can participate because we are open minded).

Are you curious enough about other religions outside of your religion? Learn and understand many things but still hold your principles.

Some ways to be open-minded:

• Be a social person, talk to new people, and see their perspective about life. Try to understand what makes them behave like how they behave are and what make them think like how they think. Absorb the information you receive, life is too short to find all new things by your self. Sometimes we must learn from others.

• Listen to all kind of music. If you only like pop songs, why not try to listen to Bossanova, hardcore rock or even jazz. Maybe you’ll say “ohh… this is a good music too…”

• Take a look at TV commercials, from a good one to a really terrible one. Now with an open mind and a different perspective, what’s the difference when you see it once again?

• Learn new words that you think bizarre and taboo. Read articles, definitions, opinions about the yakuza, Swingers, communism, camel toe, etc… See your reaction after hearing these words, some do not understand, some will feeling a little bit taboo.

• Go to new places you’ve never visited.

• Watching new genre movies. What about a movie with a little heavy story line. Want to try?

• Try doing strange things: writing from right to left, left hand, read from bottom to top.

• Push your ability to the limit. Learn how to dance, do handstand, try surfing, parasailing, parkour & freerunning, and learn salto.

• Learn a foreign language.

All this is not only give us more value, but also a fast learner skills. In essence, open to new things so that you’re not panic when introduced to a new topic, not feeling weird, not feeling taboo, and you comfortable talking to anyone: male, female, old man, children. And other people should be comfortable around you.

In the end they would say… YOU ARE INTERESTING!
Josua

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1. Be Unique and Have A Positive Belief