Blog for October 7th, 2024
Open Mindedness is the quality of being receptive to new ideas and perspectives and being willing to consider evidence that challenges one’s own beliefs.
Open Mindedness is the fourth Spiritual Principle on my list. I have given it much contemplation this week, along with being teachable. To me, they go hand in hand and honestly, I do much better with the being teachable concept than open mindedness.
The thing is, for me, I was very open minded when I was using. Pretty much, anything went. I would take any kind of drug you handed me; my behaviors were promiscuous and dangerous. My sister and I had a moto, “if you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space”. Now how smart is that? Lol – In my defense, I was high and very open minded.
That’s why I’d rather look at this Spiritual Principle as being teachable. Learning new ways of living without the use of drugs. New ways to navigate this world and society without having to lash out at them, or at myself with drugs. “I’ll show you, I’ll get high at you”, how dumb is that?
When I first got clean, I did stay open minded about how to stay clean. I listened to people in the meetings, aka “in the rooms”, about what they were doing to stay abstinent from drugs (and yes, alcohol is a drug). I listened to them about how they were learning to live in society, get and keep a job, be present in everyway for their families and the world around them. For that part, I was open minded. It really involved working the steps, which are a path to a closer relationship with your Higher Power.
But that’s about as far as it went. I would follow the direction of a sponsor and old timers, friends in recovery who had been through situations that I was going through. i.e.: Death of a loved one, loss of a job, raising kids on poverty level, how to go back to school and the biggest one of all, how to grow my faith.
This is where I found a huge split in the road. I was pulled – by my God- to return to the faith of my childhood. The faith that my mother spoke about. And whereas there were some, very few though, in the rooms that shared my faith, I was in the minority with my beliefs. My beliefs are of the highest priority to me, without my God, my faith and beliefs I am doomed. I love my faith and nurture it to the best of my ability. No one, not anything can come between me and my God.
So, on this accord, I intend to stay faithful to the path I’ve chosen, or did it choose me? Anyway, within this scope of belief I am very teachable. In the rooms I am teachable. In politics and society at large, music, food, culture, and work-related issues, I am teachable. I will listen, consider and pray on it all and then decide my course of action, or no action.
As they say, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. But if I need to consider a new point of view for the good of the whole, for the good of my family, sponsee’s and friends, then I will consider it. But I’ve been alive a long time and clean more than half of my life, which is a wonderful thing to say at this point. Therefore, I worked on me and my issues- with the help of my Higher Power, and I have come to many standards, beliefs and ways – that yes, I am set in- that are such a part of me, a happy, joyous part of me, a fulfilling, loving part of me that I do not want to give it up.
I don’t mind listening how to enhance these beliefs, but the new ideas would have to align with my faith and beliefs. The saying “to thine own self be true” is exactly right. I first must consider all of my beliefs that I have worked so hard for: by working my steps repeatedly, by going to church, conventions, retreats, listening to podcasts and TV programs about my faith. And by asking questions and delving into the Word. So yes, I must consider all I’ve learned, know and live before I’ll open my mind to crazy, radical, not so
spiritual ideas. But hey, that’s just me!
Question of the Week: Are you Open Minded and/or Teachable?
