It’s the work of an educated mind to entertain a thought without accepting it.

Have you ever tried to listen to the other side? 

Of anything you feel very strongly about? 

When we are passionate about a topic, it becomes increasingly difficult to disassociate ourselves from our deeply-rooted beliefs long enough to allow a reasonable consideration of what the other side is saying. Usually at the first blush of controversy, we find ourselves shutting down all forms of options for consideration, and instead, growing increasingly impatient to either correct the other party or to disconnect from the experience.

But the reality, in some cases, is that the other side has some valid perspectives. In those perspectives, we are able to see in those thoughts, some of the variables that perhaps we might be discarding or unaware of, and in those perspectives might lie a better option. Or certainly a variation on the one we are deeply believing with our personal conviction.

Keeping an open mind is a balancing act. It requires a certain degree of fortitude, dependent upon how the opposing party conducts themselves. If they are equally desirable of finding a best solution between their perspective and yours, then you are in more of a brainstorming experience. 

But if they are closed-minded and rabidly fixated on what they believe to be so, then it is considerably more difficult on your end. Even still, I believe it is wise to listen to the other side. It helps you to understand what they are thinking, regardless of whether or not you believe their thoughts to be based in the reality that you are living in. And, as a worst case scenario, you are doing work in the field to prepare for the onslaught that is coming your way. 

In all cases, the ego must be cast aside in favor of progress, and no progress is ever made between two parties who have determined that the other party has nothing of merit or value to contribute.

I hope your Friday is off to a clear-minded start.

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Written by Brian Weiner
When I was 5 years old, I discovered that the lemon tree in the backyard + dixie cups + water and sugar and I was in business. I have been hooked on that ever since. In 1979, I borrowed $14,000 to create a brand new product... photographic greeting cards with no text on the inside, called Paradise Photography. That was the start of The Illusion Factory. Since then, The Illusion Factory has been entrusted by all of the major studios and broadcasters with the advertising and marketing of over $7 billion in filmed, live, broadcast, gaming, AR, VR and regulated gaming forms of entertainment, generating more than $100 Billion in revenue and 265 awards for creativity and technology for our clients. When I took a break from film school at UCLA to move to Hawaii, my mother did not lecture me. Instead, she took 150 of her favorite aphorisms and in her beautiful calligraphy, wrote them artistically throughout a blank journal. That is the origin of the Lessons from the Mountain series. Since then, on my journeys to the top of a mountain to watch the sunrise, I have spent countless hours contemplating words of wisdom from the sages of all races, genders and political persuasions, constantly accumulating the thoughts to guide me on my life path. I hope you enjoy my books. Please let me know your thoughts, as I highly value your feedback!