Often we talk about issues of diversity in age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, but something I believe is not talked about enough is diversity of thought and mind.
Over the past few years, I have seen a world bursting with more creative thought and expression of self than ever before. But it is in this process that I have found that people still do not understand what it is to have diversity of thought, or to understand differences in the minds of others around them.
Diversity of thought is the reality that there is more than one way to think about something.. Though this has always been true, the acknowledgment of this reality is often difficult for people to come to, especially in current times when people’s beliefs and opinions are so strong and rooted.
When I have conversations with peers and observe those between others, I find that discourse is often one-sided, but not in the typical one person talks while the other listens and agrees. It’s still a two-sided conversation where many points are brought up and topics jump around, but it seems divided. The reason for this is that both people are talking and sharing ideas, and they are hearing the other person, but they’re not listening. It’s easy to believe that your own ideas are the right ones, or that other people just have their own ideas about things, but being open-minded and actually considering varied opinions is just as important as hearing the other person out.
Whatever you talk about with different people in your life— parents, strangers, colleagues, professors, or students, keep in mind that their thoughts and minds are just as powerful and well-intentioned as yours and they deserve to be validated or appreciated. Diversity of mind is crucial in the world for learning about other people’s differences that are not as plainly shown on the surface, but within their minds and personas.
Next time you have a conversation with someone, or are even in solitude with your own thoughts, take time to appreciate and value the thoughts and ideas that are being presented to you. You might find that you feel more open-minded and you might even learn something.