I felt some pressure deciding on what to write about for my first blog post. After all, l do want it to interest you so that you keep on reading. So, since this is a blog about finding passion for people and how to make myself a better neighbor through our Lord above, I decided to jump right in and talk about what are some times where people get my blood boiling the most and how I can work on showing love instead of aggravation when people who posses these qualities walk into my day, week and life.
Extremely close-minded people. Sigh.
I tend to get easily frustrated with people who are extremely close-minded. It's very hard to deal with people who are stubborn and intolerant to new ideas with life in general. It could be at work when talking with a client or co-worker, or even at the grocery store talking with someone you have never once met. It is definitely something I struggle with. It doesn’t make sense to me how someone can be so set in their thoughts that they don’t accept other human beings because of it. When you become set in your thoughts, how does that give you the opportunity to allow your mind to grow and become a more accepting individual? Do you stop periodically throughout the day and ever think to yourself that no matter what we think…Jesus accepts us?
When people think of close-mindedness, large issues come to mind: politics, world-issues, etc. For example, if you grew up in a household of Republicans and your family consistently blames Democrats for our country's economic issues and maybe even their own family's financial issues, one might become close-minded to Democrats or ANY liberal agenda at all. (Thank you for the example, Mandy!) I believe close-mindedness can come in a couple different forms. Whether it is conscious or learned, id’ be silly to think we don’t experience an occurrence with this at some point during the day. Neither is healthy, but by understanding the difference we can better help those who are close-minded due to lack of knowledge and simply accept those who consciously choose not to agree. Someone who is brought up in a close-minded environment may choose to be more open-minded once the barrier is broken and they are presented with new ideas.
Even though I have a hard time with close-mindedness, I'm aware that I am sometimes guilty of possessing this quality...even in a subject as small as sports. One instance in particular comes to mind immediately...specifically due to the timing of this post...annnnnd I blame it all on the fact the Pittsburgh Steelers are AFC Champions. I am pretty close minded when it comes to front- runners (ie: those ‘fans’ who root for both the Steelers and the Buckeyes). I don’t want to hear why. To be honest, I don’t even care why. It gets my blood a boiling and I get extremely defensive and argumentative. Right away. No time for simmer in between. I just don’t unnnnnderrrrstannnnnnnd. And because I don’t understand, that poor person in front of me has to hear my wrath. How can you say the reason you root for the Steelers is because you grew up in Pennsylvania but then root for my Buckeyes (which is by the way an OHIO team…)? You’re not a real Pittsburgh fan! (...See what I mean?...) My goal this year (hopefully I make it past February 6th) is to not necessarily agree with people like that, but become a little more open minded about it and give them a chance to tell their story. Try to find passion for them and why they feel the way they do. Accept them, and rest easy knowing it doesn’t matter who they root for, unfortunately it won’t make my Browns any good. No, but really, how is it affecting my life and who I root for? It’s not. You don’t have to agree. You can plead your case and share your story, too. But listen to them. Accept them. Love them. Just like Jesus accepts and loves us.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 15:7
