I have had quite a few experiences in my life of 42 years, yes I typed that age. Eeeeks! Honestly, I'm 29 and will always stay 29, but I just have to put my real age out there because I'm not a spring chicken any more. Yes, I still feel like one, but in reality, nope� My opinions are formed from those 42 years on this earth, from my background, from my parents and from my belief in God. So what exactly would one consider to be "narrow-minded?" I have visited numerous countries and have seen first hand how others are making their place in this great big world. My rose colored glasses have been brushed by many colors, changing my perspective.
When I think about someone being narrow minded I guess I think of someone who is not willing to listen to other opinions. I think of someone who has not thought out or looked into other sides of an issue. I don't think of someone who knows what they believe and who is willing to stand up for those beliefs to be narrow-minded. I find that person to be self-confident and sure of their beliefs. Just because people have different beliefs than I do, I don't find them narrow minded.
Often times I think this title of "narrow-minded" is thrown out there when the other person cannot convince me to switch my own opinion to theirs. (My opinions of biblical issues will not change. God's word is and was and will be forever. That doesn't make me narrow minded, that makes me faithful.) Do I often change my opinion from one person telling me theirs and calling me narrow minded? No. I will listen and try to put myself in their shoes. I will try to understand their reasons and see both sides of the issue. Then, I may research that issue even more and think on it. The ironic thing is I don't believe I have EVER called someone narrow minded. And those who have actually called me that are those who seem so angry for me having a different opinion than theirs. That's life.
Sorry for the deep issue today. It's just been on my mind. I think of a few personalities that I am sure have also been called narrow-minded and those people are self-confident, sure of their beliefs, not afraid to speak out and stand up for what they believe in, not resorting to name-calling or attacks of the personality to defend themselves, and honestly, those are people I respect. Those are people I admire. Those are people I want my children to be like. If that means "narrow-minded" to other people then narrow-minded we will be.
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