One of the great things about being an individual is that you have a variety of Opinions.
As we grow and go through Life's experiences we gather opinions about all sorts of things. They could be based on experience, based on personal education, based on media reports, based on what other people think, they could be even based on idle gossip!
Opinions come in all shapes and sizes and can be about anything. Take food and eating for example. Some foods get labelled as being 'good' and some as 'bad'. If we look at sugar it has been demonised to the point where even eating fruit is even bad. My opinion doesn't agree with this. Our body needs some sugar so how can it be bad? Fat is another one that is seen a bad. As a result we see low fat, no fat and reduced fat foods on supermarket shelves. But again, our body needs fat. My opinion is to include healthy fat in your diet, such as olive oil, fish (omega 3), avocado and nuts. You are welcome to have your own opinion about these but be careful about the overload of information and opinions about food and eating that is really out of control.
Be open to changing your opinion, when needed.
It really doesn't matter how your opinion was formed, if it is yours, you have every right to express it. Where an opinion becomes dangerous is when you expect others, even the whole world, to share the same opinion and you will do anything to make it so. When the need to be proven right outweighs the need to freely share, trouble is on the way. Have your opinion, let it be heard and give up the need to be right. Direct your attention to greater tasks and personal achievements.
Above all, be open to changing an opinion, when needed, and allow others to have their own opinion even if you don't agree with them. New experiences, new learning, new research and new environments can all change how we perceive something. Being open to change allows growth and even maturity. Growth is one of the biggest gifts we can give ourselves, in my opinion. Also, be prepared to admit you are wrong, if needed. Having the flexibility to change an opinion, when required, keeps you open and teachable and does amazing things for all types of relationships. Express yourself today!
Barry McElhinney is Founder of
The Human Experience Coach.
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