Have you ever noticed how many opinions are out there? Not only that, some people hold views that seem to be incompatible with their own values. I mean, seriously, guys! Pick a side! How am I to calibrate my sense of reality if my Catholic friend condones divorce, my only recently naturalized coworker wants tighter immigration policies, and my vegan neighbor craves corn dogs once in a while?!
Kidding aside. Viewpoints are my railing and my signposts. They help me navigate through the maze of life. Or at least they used to.
Lately I experience opinions as rather treacherous.
For one thing, I found that relying on other people and their beliefs can be a double-edged sword: If they agree with me, I’m flying high. If not, I’m at risk of losing my bearings.
For another thing, viewpoints can be totally confusing. And contradicting! Just check out these proverbs:
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
+++++
Out of sight, out of mind.
Doubt is the beginning of wisdom.
+++++
Faith will move mountains.
Birds of a feather flock together.
+++++
Opposites attract.
I mean, seriously. Which is it?! 😳
I thought about it and thought about it. And when I couldn’t pick a side (😜), I wondered:
What if it’s all true? What if birds of a feather flock together AND opposites attract?
What if an opinion simply reflects a person’s current state of mind? And I don’t mean, if you are young, or foolish, or dishonorable it’s “Out of sight, out of mind” and if you are mature, or wise, or upright it’s “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” No, I mean that at times we attract opposites and at times we flock together. And sometimes we move mountains with our faith, and at other times doubt helps us to attain a little bit more wisdom.
Maybe it’s “both/and” instead of “either/or”!
That is so freeing!
Brigitte Schneider
aka Ms. Free! Free at Last!
Copyright © 2021, Brigitte Schneider. If you wish to quote text from this article contact the author by leaving a comment.
