Don’t Shoot the Messenger

by Lauren Kennedy – http://www.InsitetoExcellence.com

Open mindedness  and staying  green (teachable) is one of the keys to lasting success.

No matter how many college degrees, awards  or experience we have, no matter how many people seek our advice and counsel, no matter our how stellar our track record or how impressive our accomplishments.

Nurturing our sense of curiosity, inquisitiveness, and  thirst for new ideas, experiences and interactions, keep our mind sharp, our enthusiasm high, and our body energized.

There is an enormous amount of information available on every topic, about every subject, and something of interest or benefit for everyone.

Don’t Kill the Messenger

Unfortunately, we often have the tendency to dismiss or ignore certain information depending on our opinion of the messenger. When their opinions are different or offensive, when we think their conversation won’t be  relevant to us, when we view them as less knowledgeable or educated, when their behaviors are questionable, or when their own life is in shambles.

However:

I have heard comments that I were insightful  from people with whom I typically disagreed.

I have developed a deeper understanding of the source of human suffering by listening with an open mind and heart to my clients.

I have had an AHA moment hearing a comment by someone in line at the grocery.

And I have heard a fundamental truth spoken in a moment of clarity by a person with a tenuous grasp on reality.

The words that may be the exact ones that provide the missing idea for a new program,  spark a deeper understanding of a loved one, or inspire the course to change a life could come from anyone.

Anyone.

From a CEO of a Fortune 500 Company, to a student, to a home maker, to a homeless person, to a individual suffering from addiction or to a prison inmate.

Everyone wants to be heard, to be acknowledged  and to be taken seriously. And everyone deserves and needs to have these basic human needs satisfied.

And when we take the time to open our mind and extend our heartfelt attention, more often than not, we are the ones who benefit.

I would love to hear your comments on this or any other post. Don’t be shy!