OPEN-MINDEDNESS

Definition of Open-mindedness:
Receptiveness to new ideas / willingness to try new things or to hear/consider new ideas.

Synonyms of Open-mindedness:
Approachable, equitable, tolerant, broad-minded, receptive, reasonable, unbiased, etc.

These notes are from recovery in AA and/or related 12 step programs. Readers are encouraged to click external links for more detail. We hope you find them helpful.

Love in fellowship.

 

Let go of your attachment to being right and suddenly your mind is more open. –One Day At A Time | More…

Benefit from the unique viewpoints of others. without being crippled by your own judgment. –One Day At A Time | More…

When we’re urged to be open-minded, what’s really involved? Open-mindedness really means a readiness to put our deeply held opinions aside long enough to consider new ideas.

It’s important to screen ideas as they come to us, but we can’t block them out completely. All a good idea needs to help us is a fair chance. –Walk In Dry Places/Mel B. | More…

 We are as sick as our secrets.
Our ego takes over control of our lives and when that happens our minds get very sick.

Then we hurt people and our minds will always justify our actions.
Our minds will give us rationalization and excuses that we are justified in doing what we are doing.

Let me realize to be vulnerable is a strength, not a weakness.
Let me realize the power of an open heart.
Let me be available to truth. –Elders | More…

In my addiction I had a closed mind because I was afraid to be seen to be wrong. Then I had a moment of clarity.

I heard that I was sick. I heard that if I really wanted help, I could receive it.
I was no longer alone. –Father Leo | More…

Some of us in our hunger for security grab for “absolute” truths, which are not absolute.
Even the Twelve Steps of this program are given to us as a “suggested” program of recovery.

A program that works because it takes us out of our rigid ways. We are continually made new. That is the vitality of the spiritual life. –Touchstones | More…

There is a saying, when the student is ready the teacher appears.
If the Elders sense that you are ready, they will help you see and learn new things.

Most human beings love to share what they know with people who are excited to listen.
If you are talking to someone and you feel they really aren’t listening, you won’t want to tell them much.

Before you go talk to the Elders, examine your motives.
Are you really excited about listening to them? –Elders White Bison | More…

Some days we feel bad about ourselves.
Perhaps there is no real reason except a mood has come over us.

Moodiness is a remnant of our past.
This is a time to turn it over to our Higher Power.

We are children of the universe. We are loved. We only need to pray for openness within ourselves to feel the love of God. –Touchstones | More…

Through the AA fellowship, we offer each other mutual support. Since we believe that the Higher Power works through the group, what one of us is prompted to say is probably just what another member needs to hear.

Sometimes we are reluctant to speak of what is in our heart for fear of being embarrassed, belittled, or betrayed. We are so accustomed to masking our true feelings that we often lose touch with them.

It is a healing experience to belong to a group, which is dedicated to honest communication with a minimum of game playing. When we make a genuine attempt to describe where we are in our program, we are met with a warm and supportive response.

Our Higher Power opens the way for meaningful communication and mutual love.–Food For Thought | More…

Some of us in our hunger for security grab for “absolute” truths, which are not absolute. Even the Twelve Steps of this program are given to us as a “suggested” program of recovery. It is a program that works because it takes us out of our rigid ways. We are continually made new. That is the vitality of the spiritual life. –Touchstones | More…