You have probably heard of the phrase, “opinions are like (insert a body part here), everyone has one…” (well, you get the picture.) With the way the world continues to evolve and how people are using their thoughts these days, I would like to change that phrase. To me it is more like, “opinions are like a bag of seeds. Not everyone has one, but it is what kind you have and what you do with it that matters.” It doesn’t matter who you are or what you look like, opinions can make the garden beautiful, or they can grow like a weed and destroy.
Not everyone
There are occasions when I will be asked about my opinion on a matter or regarding some information and I do not honestly have an opinion of any kind. I understand that if I don’t know enough about the topic in front of me, I will not be able to give an honest answer. And if I don’t have a strong enough interest in the topic, I will also not be able to answer. But this is me. This is how I am able to handle life around me. Well, most of the time.
Real life
Lately it does seem that everyone has an opinion. The problem is the kinds of opinions they have. There are opinions that are constructive and are actually useful. Then there are the opinions that should be kept from ever speaking out loud. Since the start of social media and the internet, opinions are growing out of control. Given the opportunity to say (or write) whatever they want, people are able to hide behind a screen. They hide away from seeing how their words impact everyone hearing or reading them. And unfortunately, there are too many people that are willing to say things to complete strangers with no regard at all to the influence they cause.
Impact of opinions
I said that opinions can make a garden beautiful, or they can sprout weeds and destroy. It is true. A person can take an opinion given to them and turn it into something amazing. Or they can take that same opinion and dwell on it, turn it into something so nasty and ugly that it destroys from the inside out. The affect is all about how they are used.
We all have opinions. Because we all have opinions about ourselves. Some of us believe in our own strength and beauty. And if you are like me, you struggle to share a positive opinion of yourself too. My opinion of myself is this. I am a patient person. I care about everyone. But I don’t think I am a beautiful person. Not by physical looks. I also think I am very weak. It is these opinions of myself that I fight against every day. And if I come in contact with a friend, family, or even a stranger’s opinion of something I have done, said, or just about me, I tend to focus on those words. I allow that seed of doubt, of negativity grow in my garden and it can take over.
Just words
We will all be faced with opinions, whether from others or from ourselves. It is how we view them, use them, and treat them that will determine their strength. And let me just say this. If anyone tries to say, “they are just words. Words do not hurt people.” Yes, they can. Words are much more powerful than we want to believe. But we can find the power to use every word to our advantage, there is no holding us back. Faced with negative and hurtful opinions? Use them to prove the word they are wrong and foolish. Given encouraging opinions, hold onto them and build yourself up.
Ultimately, opinions are only as powerful as we allow them to be. Those of us that continue to work on our self-worth and struggle with internal belief, will find it hard when faced with opinions. So be kind. Kind to those around you. You do not know what struggles the other has faced or is facing. And be kind to yourself. You are a beautiful soul. You deserve the best. So be kind even in your darkest days. Because there is someone in the world that is happy you are a part of their life.
Enjoy this video.
With great warmth,
