Are You Open-Minded?

Just a short one today because it's very late and, even though I'm evolving into quite the little insomniac lately, that doesn't necessarily mean I have the presence of mind to type cogent thoughts for more than a few lines.

I just want to throw you a question. Something that's been eating at me.

Regarding open-mindedness: do you describe yourself or consider yourself to be an open-minded person? Most people would probably say that they are. I've only met a handful of people whom I would consider to truly have an open mind. I don't count myself among them.

And yes, we can assume reasonable limitations on exactly what that means. I'm not suggesting being open-minded to the point of permitting someone to, say, shoot a random person in the face just for the experience. What we're really talking about here is the ability--or conscious practice--of constantly challenging one's own beliefs.

Anyway, here's the question: how does your open-mindedness hold up when someone puts a crack in something you may have considered truth, reality, a core belief, etc.? Have you ever felt that? Has anyone ever really knocked a major dent in something you believed? How did you react?

Are you open to the possibility that you are not as open as you think you are?

-Jon

PS - I am going to write about the mixers I'm just still doing my homework on it. Believe me, I won't forget about this assignment. It's making me sweat.