Open Mind Archives - Page 2 of 28

December 6, 2025November 6, 2025 by Pete Wiley

Being Open-Minded and True to Yourself

Being open-minded can be difficult, especially when the ideas or opinions you hear seem to go against your values or morals. Someone says something that, on its surface, sounds selfish, callous, or shortsighted, and your natural reaction is to disagree vehemently. But part of being open-minded is knowing the whole story. What is the backdrop for what you’re hearing? People may be misinformed or misguided. Many people feel disenfranchised and are desperate to find an ideology or a movement that resonates with them. You may vehemently disagree with what someone believes or says, but it’s helpful to dig deeper and find the circumstances that have led to their perspective.

November 22, 2025October 21, 2025 by Pete Wiley

Personal Utopia—Improving Society One Person at a Time

What are we working toward as a society? In times of societal upheaval, it can be helpful to know not only what we don’t want, but what we are working toward. The utopian ideal embodies a healthy society: a world in which we all work together toward common goals, where there is no need for greed or the hoarding of wealth, and where we are at peace. Of course, there are conditions we need to overcome to begin working toward that ideal, not the least of which is that, generally, people are greedy and self-centered. We also do not all share the same goals, values, or ways of living. But what if we could find utopia within ourselves? Personal utopia can be achieved, and if enough people achieve it, it will lead toward something more.

November 8, 2025October 8, 2025 by Pete Wiley

Magical Moments—Making Experiences Special

Some moments in life are truly special. You experience them as if in a dream, and you keep them in a sacred place in your heart and your memory. Over time, they may become the stuff of personal legend—the experiences that shaped who you are or had an overwhelming emotional impact. These times might include falling in love—and realizing that love is requited. It might be the birth of a child, when everything else becomes a lower priority. It may be a professional breakthrough when your work starts to make a meaningful impact. Whatever it is, the moment in time can be magical, something outside of the realm of the everyday.

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September 27, 2025July 31, 2025 by Pete Wiley

Be Careful What You Wish For

The old story of a genie in a bottle granting three wishes might seem like a dream come true, but it isn’t obvious to most what those wishes might be or if they would make their life or the world better. Wishing for something different than what you have is a risky venture. For many, there are heartaches and challenges that a wish, if granted, might resolve, but then they would be faced with a question of the greater good. They would have to decide whether the wish should have been used for the world at large rather than fixing their own lives. Fundamentally, the idea that a change will make your life better is also questionable. Each of us makes what we can with the life we are given, and of course, more money, the absence of disease, and the removal of heartache would make anyone’s life marginally better. However, dealing with those challenges is part of life and makes us who we are.

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August 12, 2025August 12, 2025 by Pete Wiley

New Release: Civil Living

Today, I’m honored to share something that’s been years in the making: the publication of my book, Civil Living: Finding Civility In Society, In Our Interactions, and Within Ourselves (link). Civil Living is a series of essays that represent a deep and ongoing exploration of how we live, relate, and show up in a world that often feels anything but civil.

in Emotions / Mindful / Open Mind / Proactive / Uncategorized 0 comments