Where does mental flexibility come from? What is the ‘way of being’ that softens thinking?

Hello. This is Kamiyama.

Everyone, do you have any likes or dislikes?
For example, it's about preferences, like disliking this and liking that.
However, I think it's rare for someone to have none. Lol

People are all different, and everyone has their own preferences.
Having preferences is fine, but there's one thing you should stop doing.

That is, dividing things into likes and dislikes based solely on your own subjectivity.
Just because you dislike something, you can only perceive it from the perspective of disliking it.
Conversely, you can only perceive something you like from the perspective of liking it.

Viewing a certain subject based on preference is foolish in terms of flexibility.

For example, even something you dislike, others might like.
Even something you like, others might dislike.
What's important is to behave in a way that respects others' perspectives.

Instead of understanding through likes and dislikes, understand through mutual values.

There's a scene I often encounter.

Someone said, 'I really like this.'
It could be music, art, or perhaps the taste of food.

Then, another person who had the same experience says:

'I dislike it.'

That's fine, it's clear.
It's good, but there's an even better answer.

"I don't really like it, but what do you like about it?"

Well, you don't necessarily have to say it out loud. (laughs)
In short, it's about mindset.

Even if you don't like something, someone else might.
In that case, it's also important to show understanding as to why others like it.

Because it broadens your senses, perspective, and flexibility of thought.
By realizing that such thoughts and feelings exist, the forms of the world you can accept become more diverse.

People who tend to categorize things by like or dislike often lack flexibility in their thinking.
People who can show understanding for various ideas and things can also view matters from multiple angles.

That becomes flexible creativity and thinking power, expanding one's thoughts.

If you know the reasons why someone likes it, and you still dislike it, then that's fine.
But disliking something without understanding why others like it only narrows your own possibilities.

Try to understand why people like what they like, and why people dislike what they dislike.

Fundamentally, disliking or not accepting something narrows your possibilities.
It's like cutting off a path yourself, even though there might be another way.

At this point, it might be completely unnecessary.
However, humans are creatures that change with time and experience.

Things you disliked can become things you like, and things you liked can become things you dislike.
In the end, it's just a matter of your own experience and knowledge, and you're simply choosing right or left on the spot.

I also used to think "Marriage is no joke" until a few years ago.
Right now, I'm thinking, 'I want a happy family.'

Every single thing definitely has its 'goodness'.
If you know the 'goodness' of many things.
Eventually, that feeling and knowledge might come alive.

Knowing the good and bad of everything broadens your perspective.
It makes your thinking flexible, realizing that there are such thoughts and feelings in the world.
Usually, people who want to judge things by like or dislike have a narrow perspective.
Their thinking also lacks flexibility.

Accepting, understanding, and incorporating all values broadens the scope of your thinking.

What you should be aware of is not dividing things into like or dislike.
It's about understanding both the 'goodness' and 'badness' of what you encounter.
On top of that, it's fine to have likes and dislikes.

However, simply rejecting something based solely on the feeling of dislike is too rash.
Furthermore, not showing any willingness to understand is foolish.

It's just a narrow perspective.

Such a discriminating preference can even lead to conflict.
There's no need to deliberately narrow your perspective with your own emotional arguments.

If you ever think you dislike something.
Try to find out why people who like it, like it.
The same goes for things you think you like.
Please try to think about the reasons why you dislike certain people.

Ultimately, likes and dislikes are just a matter of perspective.
The truth cannot be seen if you only impose one-way love or hatred.
It's often said, isn't it, that going abroad when you're young broadens your perspective?
That's because you can learn about the diversity of values while you're young.

Let's learn more values and ways of thinking, and make our minds more flexible.

Because in future society, such flexibility of thought will be highly valued.
I don't know how it was in a society where people worked like machines, though.