This topic came to mind tonight after doing some self reflection and thinking in general about life and the bdsm lifestyle.
Open mindedness is needed throughout life in order to grow and understand yourself as well as others. There may be more to something than we already know or realize and in order to grow, we must admit this. This is part of being an open-minded person. We have people who may challenge our ideas. They may have a different opinion. Are we open to listening to them and really being receptive? Might we learn something we don't know? It is very possible.
As a child, I was brought up in a home where open mindedness was taught, but not practiced. It didn't get me very far in life to be that way. I learned quickly that it wasn't the way to be. I'm not always right, no one can be. No one can be all knowing. I needed to place myself outside of my comfort zone, make new friends who had different beliefs than my own. Did I always agree with them? No. But I learned to listen to them and respect them. And I even learned a lot and my ideas and beliefs changed over time as a result of becoming more receptive and open-minded. There are points where I am challenged and I get frustrated and it is difficult to keep stay objective. Weak moments. These are no fun, but I find a way to move past them, sometimes quicker than others.
No matter how strong or open minded one becomes, we all have weaknesses and weak moments through out life. It doesn't make us less. Just means it's time to stop a moment and think, reevaluate the situation and choices we make. And that is Ok!
It is important to remain open minded in this lifestyle. We all have different ideas, different kinks, different beliefs about things. We may not always agree, but we should respect others. And we just might learn something from someone who doesn't see things the same way we do :).
Take care Cage buddies
-Ds
