“Truth is, I’ll never know all there is to know about you just as you will never know all there is to know about me. Humans are by nature too complicated to be understood fully. So, we can choose either to approach our fellow human beings with suspicion or to approach them with an open mind, a dash of optimism and a great deal of candor.” – Tom Hanks

Not only do I love this quote, but I LOVE Tom Hanks.  What a brilliant point he makes with this statement. I try to keep an open mind in all situations, especially when I’m encountered with meeting new people that come from a different background than myself. This is very important to me. I can’t be afraid of someone just because maybe I’m unfamiliar with their background or scared of the unknown they encompass within the mystery of any stranger. I look at strangers like “friends of the future.” I love meeting new people and being open to what they have to teach me. Why would I close myself off to learning something new based solely on fear or prejudices created by the ignorance of others.

I have a very low tolerance for close-minded people. Maybe that’s awful of me or just awful of me to admit, but it’s the truth. But then I have to remind myself that I only have control over myself and my own thoughts and I can’t let the thoughts and opinions of others get me worked up.

So, that being said, I’m going to leave today at this (re-quoting Mr. Hanks again): “…We can choose either to approach our fellow human beings with suspicion or to approach them with an open mind, a dash of optimism and a great deal of candor.” I would like option two, please. Because, he is right, we will never fully understand each other, we are just too complicated, but the least we can do is try. Put a “Come in, I’m open sign” on your brain and let it ALL in!

Speaking of Tom Hanks, every time I watch the trailer (linked below) for the new movie he is in I just lose it. I can’t wait to see “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.” Who’s with me?