Continuing our exploration of synonyms for being #Unshakable, let’s take a closer look at what the letter “O” has to offer.

Today, ‘O’ stands for open-mindedness, a quality that often sits quietly between right, wrong, and the vast, subjective middle ground that defies black-and-white judgment.

Open-mindedness is more than just hearing someone out. It’s about pausing to understand, even when the situation challenges our principles. It’s about peeling back the layers of human complexity to uncover the “why” behind people’s actions. And for someone like me—a love enthusiast, empath, and extrovert—this quality often feels like second nature. Perhaps I don’t need a formal qualification to grasp the nuances of human behaviour, but even with this intuitive gift, I learn something new every day.

For example, consider this: if every one of us ate the exact same meals and burned the exact same calories, we’d still look wildly different from one another. Why? Because our bodies are as unique as our experiences, shaped by an infinite variety of influences.

This principle doesn’t just apply to physical differences—it reflects every sphere of life. Our perspectives, choices, and actions are shaped by contexts most others can’t fully see.

Open-mindedness is the bridge that allows us to cross into those contexts and find understanding.

The Silent Symphonies Lesson

Have you read Silent Symphonies, the fictional love story starring Leila? If not, here’s a spoiler: Leila and Kaobi meet during a stormy chapter of their lives. Leila is trapped in an abusive marriage that’s destroying her mentally and physically. Kaobi, on the other hand, is navigating the prison of an arranged, loveless union. When these two cross paths, the results are complicated—they begin an affair. On the surface, their actions seem morally unforgivable and in a perfect world, we’d condemn them both without a second thought.

However, Silent Symphonies does something extraordinary: it invites readers to dive into the messy, emotional core of its characters. We learn about Leila’s internal battle with her religious values and her trauma.

We witness Kaobi’s struggle to honour familial expectations while yearning for a connection he’s never truly known. These aren’t excuses for their actions, but they are explanations. They turn what seems like a simple betrayal into a nuanced, human story.

By the end of the book, many readers find themselves rooting for Leila and Kaobi.

Not because infidelity is suddenly acceptable, but because we’ve been given the gift of perspective.

We’ve walked in their shoes, heard their thoughts, and understood the forces that drove them. It’s the kind of insight that’s almost impossible to get in real life, but in fiction, it teaches us something powerful: judgment is easy; empathy takes effort.

Silent Symphonies is a rollercoaster of laughter, tears, and heart-palpitating moments, but more than that, it’s a masterclass in seeing beyond the surface.

Real Life: Less Fiction, More Assumptions

Of course, life isn’t as neatly packaged as a novel. When we encounter celebrity scandals in the socials or juicy gossip about the neighbour next door, it’s tempting to step into the role of judge, jury, and executioner. The gym-goer everyone whispers about. The co-worker no one sits with. We assume we know their stories, but the truth is, we often know nothing at all.

Every headline and rumour comes with a thousand untold chapters, yet we rarely take the time to imagine what those chapters might say. What drives someone to act in a way we find appalling? What pain, pressure, or misjudgement could explain their choices? Without context, we’re left filling the gaps with our own biases—and that’s where open-mindedness becomes critical. It challenges us to ask questions instead of drawing conclusions. It reminds us to consider that the ‘wrong’ we see might not be so straightforward after all.

The Takeaway

If there’s one reason I strive to keep an open mind, it’s because of stories like Silent Symphonies. These stories have taught me that right and wrong aren’t always absolute and that in the vast grey area of life, understanding is often more valuable than judgment.

Open-mindedness asks us to pause and listen, even when condemnation is easier. It pushes us to sit with discomfort, explore perspectives that clash with our own, and embrace the messy, subjective nature of human experience.

‘See’ you next week, where we’ll continue our journey through the alphabet of being #Unshakable. Until then, stay curious… stay open.

Sally Chiwuzie
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IG Handle: @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind