Some thing are better not said!

We all have opinions. But are we always required to offer them? Often our point of view is so much on our sleeve that we can’t wait to tell it to others that are near us. In the guise of being honest we do not care what we say or who it hurts. We just want to get our two cents in because we know the truth. I am not so sure about that. I don’t believe that if a lie is repeated often enough, it will be accepted as the truth. A lie is a lie

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Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with a strongly held opinion or conviction. I have them myself. We should be guided by our beliefs in all we do. If we are to be authentic, we should be motivated by a set of principles on which we base our lives. It should be how we live, not what we say.

Often in our effort to be heard we do not care who else it may hurt. Your opinion is what it is and in need not be changed by the other person’s point of view. They may agree with you or they may not. Whether they agree or not should not be that important. It does not mean you are right or wrong. You are entitled to what you believe and so are they. If they ask your opinion, give it to them. It is up to them to believe or not. You are right to voice your opinion but you are not responsible for convincing other people.

Respect for others with a different point of view is acquired. I will listen but I don’t have to agree. Sometimes you are informed how people came to different conclusions when presented with the same facts. Their life experiences may lead them to see things differently. This may be essential in good communication.

Some people may over value education, wealth, and position. I think that level-headedness, sound judgement and common sense are just as important. Unfortunately these attributes are not a given for those who are well educated, have a lot of money, or wield tremendous power. They can coexist but are not essential. Sometimes they are found in the uneducated, the poor, and the powerless. Wisdom is not how much you have it is more what you think.

Before we spout off maybe we should do a little thinking. Maybe we should, as the old saying goes, ”engage our brain before opening our mouth”. Who are we offending? Does it have to be said? Are we advancing understanding or just ourselves? This not just good manners, it is good common sense.

While I would not dissuade you from being an advocate for what you believe, I would encourage you to think before talking. You will be taken more seriously.

Brad Thompson