Opinion: (noun) 1. A view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. 2. The beliefs or views of a large number or majority of people about a particular thing.
We all have opinions…about wine, beer, food, religion, education, politics, military, government, abortion, the death penalty, Wal-Mart, computers, cars, the environment, clothes, and literally everything else under the sun (including the sun) and beyond. The problem is that sometimes I think we forget that our opinions are not right or wrong; they just exist to guide us down our own individual life path.
If you believe that Christianity is the way to go, that is your opinion and it determines the way you live your life. If you classify yourself as a Democrat than that too is your opinion on political decisions (policy) made in the U.S., but it most certainly does not make you right or wrong, it just impacts your own individual constitution. If you think two story homes are stupid than don’t live in one. If you think Pepsi is better than Coca-Cola than don’t buy Coca-Cola.
Whether it’s something as simple as a soda preference or as deeply personal as a faith in God, we need to learn to be open-minded and have a better conversation. We also need to know when to quit and know that it is okay to disagree. If you’re Christian and your neighbor is Jewish there is no reason to try and convert one another or tell the other they are wrong…let them have their belief.
I just don’t understand why so many people get verbally stupid over things that don’t matter. If we want to name our son Batman, why would you run your mouth to my face…it has zero impact on you. I’d prefer that you go home and bash my choice to your spouse…let’s keep the playing field between you and I clean. If I choose to have my life or our pregnancy be an open book on our blog what’s it to you?
Opinions are great, but they’re even better when they can be handled with respect…have respect for yourself and your opinions but have the same for others. There is no ONE right way to live life, so let’s help each other down the Yellow Brick Road versus pummel each other with verbal nonsense. My simple hope is that this just acts as a reminder that we need to give people space to live their own lives. We can never have enough reminders, trust me…I need them too!!
So how do you keep yourself from intruding on the people around you with your opinions?
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