I wouldn’t bolt the door, friend, as you could be wrong, you know,
You’re entitled to your view, but knowledge, we don’t outgrow.
If the view you hold is wrong, you might hear, “I told you so,”
Or hear yourself exclaiming, the proverbial, “Oh, no!”

It’s alright to hold a view, and believe that it’s correct,
But you’re treading on thin ice, if somehow, a lock has clicked.
It’s one thing to close a door, but another, to bolt or lock it,
For such locked or bolted doors, are never to one’s benefit.

The mind is not for locking, otherwise, thoughts won’t freely flow,
Which is why doors have hinges, so things in and out can go.
They also have a handle, which benefits you and I,
Amidst a conversation, when I speak and you reply.

And when you’ve made up your mind, you can gently close the door,
But don’t forget that handle, for views you hold, may have a flaw.
It may need to go back out, and something else be let in,
For that’s how we make sure, only what’s right, abides within.

Some folk have a mind that’s bound, with an unbreakable chain,
Which is why faulty beliefs, deep within their mind remain.
The key to open the lock, that’s attached to that old chain,
Appears to have been misplaced, and a new one, hard to obtain.

We should have an open mind, one that isn’t shut, that is,
One that is always prepared, to listen, assess, and quiz.
’Though we don’t have to accept, what we believe isn’t true,
We should always have time for, someone else’s point of view.

So, don’t lock it or bolt it, nor invest in a strong chain,
For that’ll just prevent growth, and in a groove, you’ll remain.
Challenges are good for us, and often that’s how we find,
That we’ve been entertaining, a wrong viewpoint in our mind.

We welcome your comments:

Painting by Mary T. Hoffman - God's Creation in Art

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