I looked out my home office window. A mother is walking by with a baby in a stroller. A three year old boy ran past her, then slows to match her pace. The mother looks straight ahead. The boy looks everywhere. Something in a yard catches his attention. He runs to investigate. This is an open mind in action.

How far in life did you make it before closing your mind? Middle school? Maybe you made it most of the way through high school, but that’s doubtful considering the state of so-called education these days. What! Not you?

Girls give up long before boys. They get into group-thinking at an early age. Watch them, they do everything in packs. No independent thinking there. Ask them anything, they’ll give you the correct answer. You can be sure it’s the truth. They doubt nothing. That’s the true sign your mind is closed, you know the answers regarding every worthwhile topic, especially issues of decency and morality.

Boys are tougher. They don’t behave well. They break rules and codes of conduct. The system wears them down. Most give up and follow in their father’s footsteps. Society is tenacious, determined to turn a boy into a proper man. Fall in line young man, or suffer the consequences.

Doors will be closed. But, an inconvenient truth is about to be revealed, they may also be opened. You merely need to find the key. Behold, there it is in your pocket. All you need do is stick the key in the lock and open the door. The scent of fresh ideas may overwhelm you at first. Fear not. Step on through and start exploring. Remember how much fun you used to have?