When did everyone become so serious and sensitive to every opinion? I can't even share a cat video without people complaining about some aspect of it. Why do people become furious towards opinions they don't like and hold their own opinions as superior? Wouldn't it be easier to keep scrolling? Maybe watch a different cat video? Maybe have a cup of tea? For those who are lost on what do, here is a compilation of common sense ideas titled The Beginner's Guide to an Opinion.
Many people I know fail to see the simplicity behind having an opinion. Let me break down what an opinion is: a statement of personal belief that is neither true nor false. People do not understand this simple concept and it blows my mind; hence why I made this Beginner's Guide for the uninformed.
Let's put what we just learned into practice! For example, if I believe I am a Jedi Master and have awesome force powers, that is an opinion. I might be slightly out of touch from reality, but it's an opinion nonetheless. Saying "your opinion is wrong" is nonsensical. Even Grumpy Cat would laugh at that. An opinion is not right or wrong. It's a personal statement, one that can't be refuted. Imagine telling a Christian that their personal belief in Christ rising from the dead is wrong. You don't learn anything, the Christian doesn't learn anything (besides learning that you're a heathen), and you've managed to piss Jesus off. Two enthusiastic thumbs up.
I've been watching a lot of Gordon Ramsay videos on Youtube, and he said something that struck a chord with me. He was calling this restaurant manager an idiot (like he always does) and the manager calmly told Gordon, "What if someone told YOU were an idiot? How would you feel?" I thought this was an excellent response to Gordon's opinion, being both polite and pushing the opinion back on Gordon. What I didn't expect was Gordon's answer. He responded saying, "I wouldn't care because I'm not a dainty little flower that takes everything personally." This blew my mind. It was a literal mental implosion. A quote so simple, but filled with so much power. Almost enough power to charge the Energizer Bunny.
Here is the lesson: even though you may get offended at a different opinion, you have the absolute freedom to choose to take it personally. If you do, you're screwed life will be very tough. Just in case you turn to the Dark Side and fail, I've made some steps to make your life not as miserable.
You can see a completely different world by applying my 6 easy steps for handling different opinions to your everyday social regimen:
1. Shut up and listen to what they believe and why they believe in that certain way. And every time you interrupt, a bunny sheds a tear. Do not make that bunny cry. Do not belittle their opinions.
2. Don't invalidate their opinion by saying, "Nope, you're wrong." Don't even explain WHY you think they are wrong. 10/10 would not recommend. Do not belittle their opinions.
3. Ask questions. People love talking about themselves, and giving them open-ended questions makes their hearts jump for joy. It's like giving them a lightsaber and telling them they are magical space wizards. And everyone loves magical space wizards. Read How To Win Friends And Influence People to learn how to make friends and manipulate influence people to do your bidding. Do not belittle their opinions.
4. Encourage their train of thought, even if it seems to be going off the rails. Seek out the positive things in their messages and find the mechanisms for why they think differently. Not only do you get to know someone better, but you get the chance to learn new perspectives! *mind blown* If there are no positive messages, get off their train of thought. Better to surround yourself with positivity than negativity. Do not belittle their opinions.
5. If they welcome your opinion, give it. Don't use this rare opportunity to be passive aggressive. I know it's fun, but save that sass for your imaginary friends close friends. Do not belittle their opinions.
6. Just in case you missed it: Do not belittle their opinions. I want this message to repeat over and over in your head like the Gummi Bear song. Check it out here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=astISOttCQ0
An opinion is a beautiful bit of information that a person can create with their one-of-a-kind mind. Opinions mold our identity and make us human. Discouraging opinions because they are different is inhumane. Don't take everything so seriously. If you do, you might just see the death of free speech. And that, ladies and gentlemen, will be the last joke you will ever see. Except for Kim Kardashian. That joke will be around for a while.
