As a country, we are examining our cultural history and being asked to broaden our horizons while trapped in the comfort of our own home. Ironic, isn’t it? Even as our bodies might be limited, our mind is free.
It seems like an appropriate time to ask ourselves, have I expanded my mind in the last decade? Everyone likes to believe they are open but are we really? Are we as open to expansion as we think we are?
The other day, my two sons, both old enough to vote, were watching a movie. I didn’t get it. I didn’t particularly care for the humor or even give it a chance. In other words, I closed myself off to it. That’s not expansive. When my parents sent me some YouTube videos, even then, I didn’t engage, I pretty much closed myself off, assuming I wouldn’t enjoy them.
These two occurrences, when examined under the guise of expansion, drove me to create a short self-test. See how you fare…
Test Your Expansion
Let’s do a simple exercise. Be specific and use a piece of paper to write your answers. It will be more compelling.
Rather than examining years of history, think about the last month vs. you-from-a-decade-ago. In the end, expansion isn’t about you vs. someone else, it’s you vs. you. Then you know you’ve expanded your mind!
Think about June 20, 2010. Who were you then? Who are you today compared to that person?
- What new game or sport do you play today vs. a decade ago?
- What new skills do you have today vs. a decade ago?
- What new friends do you have today that you didn’t have a decade ago?
- What new work acquaintances do you have now that you didn’t have a decade ago?
- What new food did you cook or eat in the last month that you didn’t eat a decade ago?
- What new experience have you had in the last year that you hadn’t dreamt of having ten years ago?
- What new hobby do you have today that you did not have a decade ago?
- What new places have you traveled to in the last decade?
- What book have you read recently that you would not have read a decade ago?
- What news channel or news medium have you watched recently that you would not have watched a decade ago?
- What new type of TV show/movie have you watched recently than you would not have watched a decade ago?
- What newspaper, journal, or magazine do you read that you didn’t read a decade ago?
- What viewpoints do you hold today that you would not have held a decade ago?
- What events, if any, have modified your perspective over issues to change who you are vs. a decade ago?
As you answered those questions, have you changed? Have you broadened your perspective at all in the last ten years or are you the same? Remember these answers only compare you to you.
These days we are even more apt to close off in our own environments, safe and happy, not needing to push ourselves at all. We can sit in judgment from afar all day.
The choice before us is clear, live inside our comfort zone or grow and expand. A bigger circle may not feel safe or secure, but it can happen slowly, if we actively take a role in our expansion.
Every now and then, pick an issue that you feel strongly about. Now, like a good attorney, argue for its counterargument or ask a friend whose opinion differs to help you stretch a little. Come up with at least 3 reasons why the opposite viewpoint is better. This will push your mind to go beyond your current viewpoint. It will drive you to expand your mind.
If we only learned how to walk but never took a chance in running, we would miss out on the fun of breaking out of school the last day of the year. Expansion is less about forcing yourself into something you don’t like and more about a way to push life into being more.