Opinions
I have some pretty strong beliefs on a lot of subjects. Not everything I believe is totally in the mainstream of things either. I’m really for the most part an Attachment Parent, you know, extended nursing, babywearing, co-sleeping and all that. Around my house we recycle, and shop carefully, and use cloth diapers and try to be environmentally conscious. We tend to be a bit liberal politically, though not extremely so.
It’s important to me that I be allowed to have my beliefs, and make my own decisions. I’m a pretty thoughtful person, and I consider my choices and options carefully. I like to research things, get the facts, and find out information for myself. The positions I hold on issues are a usually pretty carefully considered ones.
So I tend to get very irritated when people try to tell me how to think. More than just irritated really, but I try to stay polite. Because honestly, I’m not a fool and I don’t have strong positions on topics for which I have very little knowledge.
I think there’s a huge difference between sharing your opinions or giving out information, and telling other people what to do. It often seems like people act as if both are the same thing. I know so many people who think that it’s necessary to say “You Should Do This” when sharing their opinions. And by no means are they willing to listen to anyone else’s thoughts or position.
Just as strongly as I feel about being allowed to think for myself, I also believe I have no right to tell others what to do or think. After all, what kind of person would I be if if I engaged in the same behavior I object to in others? Sometimes I hate to even give my opinions on anything controversial, because I don’t want to create even the possibility that someone might get the impression I’m telling them how to think. I also want to avoid opening myself up to being told how wrong I am. I don’t mind if someone says they disagree with me, I just hate it when I’m told my opinion is wrong.
I belong to a few message board sites. I enjoy the sharing of ideas and conversations in all of them. But it seems inevitable that sometimes “those” conversations come up, the really controversial subjects. Strong opinions are shared, people start going back and forth, and eventually, every time, someone ends up angry or hurt. I work very, very hard to stay out of the threads that even might get heated. Maybe I’m a wimp, and if so, then so be it. My opinion on the subject is: Sometimes it’s OK to just live and let live.
