open minded | David M Masters

I feel incredibly fortunate to have access to sensitive information from many people, each with unique life experiences that range from the every day to the extraordinary. This journey began many years ago when I started my work in counseling and consulting within the Christian ministry. In that role, I was bound by the privilege of penitent confidentiality, which protected those I counseled from having their shared stories exposed, even if I were asked to do so by a court.

In my younger days, I prioritized meeting people at their level without judgment, understanding that the human condition is vast and varied. Even though my memory wasn’t perfect, this didn’t affect my ability to serve. Some of the stories I heard were so unusual and intriguing that they stayed with me, even if I didn’t fully understand them at the time. These memories have remained as vivid snapshots of experiences I couldn’t yet comprehend.

When I encountered something in a story that seemed strange or unfamiliar, I didn’t let it hinder the counseling process. Instead, I stayed supportive, walking alongside the individual and accepting their experience without trying to fit it into my own framework. This approach allowed me to build trust and understanding with those I counseled, even when their perspectives differed from the norm.

As the years passed, I continued to gather stories and insights from a wide range of people. Over time, I noticed how these pieces of information started to connect, much like puzzle pieces fitting together to create a clearer picture. This growing tapestry of knowledge helped me understand things that had once seemed mysterious and out of reach.

Today, my interactions with clients with unique and sometimes unconventional experiences are more interesting than ever. With a lifetime of understanding these strange and unusual stories, I’ve moved beyond the confines of traditional religion, embracing a broader perspective of God and all of existence. This shift has made my work much more enjoyable and fulfilling.

In the past, I had to be careful not to discuss ideas or experiences that fell outside of religious beliefs. Now, I can converse openly with clients about various topics, including those some might label as “conspiracies” or “paranormal.” It’s fascinating to think that some activities and ideas within Christianity and other religions could also be considered conspiratorial or paranormal by those unfamiliar with them.

From my current perspective, I believe all things are possible, whether they are explainable or believable. My journeys into the unknown with clients are brief but illuminating. I always take care to return to my core ministerial beliefs, ensuring that my work aligns with my life’s calling and purpose.

The foundation of my ministry is the “love of Jesus.” This love means more than most Christians realize, but I love them just as they are, just like Jesus loves me just as I am, and I am forever grateful for that.

Since high school, Jesus has been my hero. Before that, my hero was Superman. I still look up to both of them because they have much in common. One is a comic book hero who helped me admire Jesus, and the other is the real hero of the New Testament.

Both heroes continue to inspire me. Through my life experiences, I’ve also stayed connected to important people in my life who have passed away. This connection is a fantastic part of my journey; many more people inspire me, some in the physical, some not so much.

Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed and experienced things firsthand that I can’t share due to confidentiality and my commitment to my personal ministry. These experiences have deepened my understanding and strengthened my resolve to help others in their unique journeys. But let me tell you this: dismissing someone because their experience differs from what you know can be a significant disservice. You might be surprised by what you discover when you listen and support someone who possesses knowledge outside your experience.

Embracing this mindset has led me on an exciting journey filled with learning, growth, and a deeper appreciation for the diversity of human experiences. Each story I hear adds another layer to my understanding of the world, reminding me there is always more to learn and explore.

We all probably feel as though we are generally open-minded. Generally. Do you have a closed mind or an open mind?

Success in life generally finds itself in the company of the open-minded individuals while it is more elusive for those with closed minds. Knowing your propensity for having either a closed mind or open mind might give you insight into your level of struggle for survival or tendency to have life evolve more naturally.

For instance, if you are more likely to seek to be understood rather than the need to understand others, you’re probably less open-minded than you might think you are.

When encountering a person with a difference of opinion, are you more likely to try to understand why they feel the way they do? Or do you try to convince him or her that you’re more knowledgeable and have a greater sense of expertise about the subject at hand?

An open-minded person is more interested in hearing, understanding, and may be interested in trying to understand how it might feel for someone else to have a different perspective. While a closed-minded person will assert his or her beliefs.

“I already know that.”

When someone tries to tell a closed-minded person something they already possess some knowledge about, they are likely to cut them off mid-share with, “I already know that.” In contrast, if the open-minded person knows a lot about a subject, they are willing to ask questions and listen to information, even if it represents knowledge they already possess, with the chance that they may uncover a previously undiscovered nugget or idea to consider.

A closed-minded person will state facts and statistics, rather than ask exploratory questions, like an open-minded person.

Opinions and thinking are the inalienable rights of the closed-minded person, while open-minded people are more concerned about learning more about the opinions of others and how they feel about things.

An open-minded person is always interested in raising their knowledge or awareness, with a hint of the potential knowingness of the possibility of believing something that might be expanded upon or even be wrong. Truth evolves over time. That’s why they’re more apt to be so inquisitive, as opposed to being stuck in their ways.

Open-minded people can contemplate two opposing ideas for a period of time, filtering, balancing, and comparing them to each over for a while, instead of quickly adhering to a single thought, belief, or perspective without being open to new ideas or information.

A closed-minded person is more apt to interrupt or talk-over those who are attempting to communicate their thoughts on any given subject. They are content with hearing their own voice and exerting their expertise. What others think is of little interest to them, which could create a potentially toxic energy in relationships.

Wrong-But Maneuver

If you’re a closed-minded person who wants to come off as an open-minded person, you may use the “wrong-but maneuver.” That is, to exert a bit of superiority while coming off as being understanding, like saying,

“I might be wrong, but…”

then exerting your opinion, belief, or highly regarded statistical data.

Close-minded people exert their superiority and do not engage in discussion or battles that might challenge their beliefs.

Open-minded people are more likely to exert their humility rather than their superiority.

People who are more likely to be open-minded often have a past which includes failures from which they have learned valuable lessons, while the closed-minded individual is hardly able to admit to having made mistakes in the past.

Closed-minded people are more likely to claim they have been victimized or blame others for what might have been considered a failure.

If you’re seeing some of the signs of being closed-minded in yourself, don’t be too concerned about it because you can become more open-minded, but not if you don’t know.

Most closed-minded people have no idea that they are. In most cases, they think they are completely open-minded. Seeing the inconsistency within yourself can be the key to overcoming closed-mindedness.

And if you’re open-minded, there is no judgment for those who are closed-minded, they are only doing the best they can with what they have. Maybe one day, they can change. If they don’t, it’s okay.

It takes all kinds to make the world go ’round. We all have different parts we play in the symphony of life.