The Power of Not Making Opinions: A Journey Towards Open-Mindedness

Everyone I know has beliefs, values, and preferences that influence the way they view the world. Opinions are easy to rush to. It’s easy to follow the golden rule of, “If you have nothing good to say don’t say it at all” and yet I’m finding it difficult to not make a positive judgement.

In the past it was so easy and effortless to say, “You are beautiful” or “how fun!” when a friend shared a picture. Now, I am curious to know more about where the picture was taken and what they are feeling in that picture. I was recently shown a picture board and asked questions and found so much more value and connection in the asking.

At work I have slipped though, the business of the hospital setting, and EGO have come into play. I found myself saying to another coworker how I was treated by a nurse in the emergency room. Now that I have had some time to think about it, I wonder what pressure this person is under being the person there the longest, and how her day was before her shift started, if I am creating anxiety by being in the room during a procedure.

How do I know these things unless I am curious and ask? The opportunity didn’t arise in our past interactions, and I think I will look for an opportunity to ask in the future. She is a nurse 5 years longer than me and in a different expertise, I may foster some personal growth.

Our world often has formed opinions instantaneously and they are defended fervently. Instead of butting heads against each other I want to take a step to the side and approach people when the environment is less stressful, and the person is in a good mood. Embracing my curiosity, cultivating empathy, avoiding confirmation bias, fostering personal growth, promoting a healthy debate, and respecting diverse prospectives before me.

I’m looking for more profound and meaningful connections with those that I cross paths with. My faith tells me I’ve crossed paths with this person to learn something, whether it be a lesson of boundaries or a lesson that will cause me to have a richer understanding of the world. I believe if all of us lived this way we would have a more harmonious society.