Those who assume
Build walls of rigid truth,
Brick by stubborn brick.

Minds are locked gates,
Beliefs are unshakeable.

But those who offer
Hold hands open to the sky,
Ready to either catch starlight
Or let it slip back to the void.
They bend like reeds in others’ winds.

I come to you,
With my palms of possibilities.
Not with demands, but wonder.

I arrived with clay
Waiting to be shaped.
And my mind a blank page,
Hungry for your colors.

In my offering, I found
Our true rhythm.
Each note is a surprise,
Each chord is a revelation.

This music
Of give and take,
Of offer and response,
Writes our song of understanding.

In the space between
Assumption and offering,
Real connection grows.

The Art of Open-Minded Connection

Husserl’s concept of “epoché” or “bracketing” involves suspending judgment about the natural world to focus on the analysis of experience.

Merleau-Ponty, in his work “Phenomenology of Perception,” writes: “The most important lesson which the reduction teaches us is the impossibility of a complete reduction.” This aligns with the contrast between those who build “walls of rigid truth” and those who “Hold hands open to the sky.” Just as Merleau-Ponty suggests that we can never fully separate ourselves from our perceptions and preconceptions, the poem acknowledges the challenge of truly opening oneself to new experiences and perspectives.

Isn’t it remarkable how our approach to others can shape the entire landscape of our interactions? This piece beautifully contrasts the closed nature of assumptions with the open potential of offering.

The image of assumptions as rigid walls reminds me of what psychologist Carol Dweck calls a “fixed mindset.” She found that people who believe their qualities are carved in stone limit their potential for growth and connection.

When the poem speaks of holding hands open to the sky, it echoes what philosopher Martin Buber meant by “I-Thou” relationships. He saw true connection as an open, mutual encounter without preconceptions.

The idea of coming with “palms of possibilities” brings to mind what Carl Rogers, the founder of person-centered therapy, called “unconditional positive regard.” It’s an attitude of total acceptance and support that fosters growth and understanding. Plus, in his “Logical Investigations,” Husserl argues for a fresh, unbiased approach to phenomena, stating, “We must go back to the ‘things themselves’

The notion of minds as blank pages hungry for others’ colors reflects what anthropologist Wade Davis meant when he spoke of the “ethnosphere” – the sum total of all thoughts, beliefs, myths, and intuitions made manifest today through the myriad cultures of the world.

So what does all this mean? Perhaps it’s about recognizing the power of approaching others and the world with openness and curiosity. It’s about understanding that real connection and learning happen when we set aside our preconceptions.

Remember, every interaction is an opportunity to learn something new if we’re open to it. As the Zen master Shunryu Suzuki said, “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.”

So next time you meet someone or face a new situation, consider: How can you approach it with an offering mindset rather than assumptions? Because isn’t that what makes human connection so rich? This chance to be surprised, to grow, to create a new song of understanding together. Your openness is the key to unlocking deeper connections. How will you offer your open palms to the world today?