I was having a conversation with my friend today and it started me to thinking. She was upset because a mutual acquaintances of ours asked her opinion on something. Once she gave her opinion on the subject, the person proceeded to go into great detail as to why she was wrong.
I am one that loves fact finding and research. It’s one of my favorite pastimes. Note a key word in my statement: fact. My mouth dropped open and eyes bugged out of my head when she stated this individual set out to prove her opinion wrong. Is there something I am missing here? When did we begin to research opinion?
Survey says: “I’m not answering that question because it isn’t a quantifiable option.”
A person’s opinion is based on their beliefs, understandings, and ideals that usually deal in subjective lenses. Therefore, it is not a theory or fact that can be “proven” or “disproved” and should be taken at face value. Making a person feel bad for their opinion is a form of demeaning and diminishing the person. The fact that the opinion was requested makes the situation that much worse.
In the end, don’t request a person’s opinion on a subject or object if you aren’t willing to receive and accept whatever it is.
Imagining is only the beginning. The reality comes from the work you’re willing to put into that imagining.
❤ K. Sparrow ❤
