In today’s world, keeping an open mind seems to be out of fashion. We talk, but we don’t always listen. Social media has become a popular platform for expressing opinions — often anonymously — which tends to bring out harsher, more critical, and even hateful comments than face-to-face conversations typically allow.
I still read the newspaper, and I remember when it focused on reporting facts, not opinions. Even our court system seems, at times, to lean toward popular sentiment instead of staying grounded in core values. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how I can push back against this trend in my own life. Three simple but meaningful ways came to mind.
First, I try to keep an open mind and learn from others. I’ve always loved to read and explore new ideas. Limiting what we expose ourselves to also limits what we understand. Sometimes I’m wrong — or simply don’t know everything — and that’s okay.
Second, I’ve learned to be slower to judge. Each of us is unique. It’s easy to view others through the lens of our own experiences and values, but there’s always another side to the story.
Third, I make space for serendipity. Some of life’s best moments happen when we leave room for the unexpected. One of my favorite examples happened in 2016. I had just booked what I thought would be the trip of a lifetime: an African safari. Not long after, my son met someone whose family owned safari lodges in Kenya. His friend was excited that we wanted to visit and helped us plan a five-star, once-in-a-lifetime adventure—an experience far beyond anything I could have arranged on my own.
Keeping an open mind hasn’t just helped me grow—it’s made life richer, more enjoyable, and full of surprises.
Mary Guldan-Lindstrom, CPA
