It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
- Aristotle There are many people whose minds are closed, simply because they are afraid to consider an alternate idea.
Rather than being a sign of the certainty of their belief system, it shows a marked insecurity.
Surely the best of belief systems is able to stand firm against all scrutiny.
If not, it is surely not the best possible.
The notion of doubt is an opportunity to test your beliefs and does not need to be avoided at all costs.
Indeed, if it is tested and remains intact is a possession of immeasurable worth.
If it is tested and falls apart, it is unworthy of you as a person.
Most of us inherit our belief systems from our families of origin.
Not only do we see our primary care givers as the font of all knowledge and wisdom, but to adopt their particular belief system, as opposed to a different, even opposing, belief system makes for more peaceful upbringing.
But the belief system we inherited from our family of origin is not necessarily the best for us.
It's not that it is flawed, or wrong.
Rather, we are different people, living in different times and face different life situations.
So life is about experiencing things, and in the process refining and honing our belief systems to better fit us for the life we, as individuals are living.
We are the sum total of our yesterdays, and because my yesterdays are different from yours, that means who I am as a person is different from who you are as a person.
That does not mean one is better than the other.
Just different.
In order for me to become more complete as a person, it is advantageous for me to hear of your life experience.
The same goes for you.
You may not necessarily share the beliefs that I have honed and developed, simply because you come to this moment of meeting along a different path of experiences.
But it may be that something I have learned along the way may benefit you more than the belief system you currently hold.
That is particularly the case if you have not really had the beliefs you inherited from your family of origin put to the test.
I don't expect you to accept my particular belief system.
However, you may well find that in a particular instance, my belief, honed from reflection on my experiences fits more comfortably in your belief system than what is already there.
But that can only happen if you are open to at least considering my beliefs, as I will, yours.
That requires an open, honest and non-judgemental listening to what each other is saying and respecting the other's right to hold that particular belief.
To do that would, I believe, resolve a great many of the seemingly insurmountable problems we face in the world today.