You owe people your opinion. Who knows? Someone might listen.

A respected colleague recently wrote in her blog:

When I’m asked if I had the vaccine or not, my answer is this:

I have stopped answering that question because it is a personal decision and no matter what my answer is, it will create controversy from one side or the other. I do not want to have any more contention in my life than I already have. Asking this question ranks right up there with asking me my political affiliation or my religious beliefs.

So, let’s talk about the weather…

I disagree, although I hope not contentiously. Whether we know it or not, many people look to us for advice and actually respect our opinions. Especially if we have a reputation for being educated, thoughtful, and open-minded ourselves.

Like the writer above, I don't like ugly diatribes over issues that have may have various legitimate points-of-view. I myself have gotten my COVID shots, but if you have not, and have a solid, well-founded reason for choosing to forgo the vaccine, I will listen. I see two sides to the abortion issue, but I believe I can make a thoughtful case for my own stance. I like to think good values, solid research, life experience, healthy skepticism, and an attempt at empathy combine to make my values defensible.

What I do not care for at all are the name-called, snide, sarcastic screeds that too often occur in social media feeds. Once a conversation starts down that path, I believe people are shouting so loudly that they cannot hear others. The worst offenders I've unfriended (not many, luckily) and others I simply know not to react to. 

But many of us - parents, educators, mentors, religious leaders, politicians, writers, friends - should be sharing our thoughts with those who, dare I say it, look to us as role models. Chances are that if you are respected for your knowledge about one area of life, you are probably respected for most of your beliefs. Share your knowledge, share your wisdom, share your conclusions. 

Especially you, Pat!

Comments

[Pat]

You are right and I guess I should have qualified that better. I believe I would give an honest answer to someone who I felt was truly seeking advice or really interested in my reasoning. If I felt they could respect my opinion without trying to shame me into thinking their way. Instead I'm asked this question very often by acquaintances or even strangers (from both sides) who seem to just want to get in a huge debate. I have heard people get into these heated debates in the grocery store with complete strangers! They really aren't interested in someone's real opinion but want to shout their own opinions to anyone they can get into a debate with. They don't know who I am or value me or my thoughts. For these people, I do not have the time or energy to get into a useless debate.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Pat,

Perhaps the lesson is that we need to pick our battles, huh? I sure hope that your readers (including me), never lose your thoughtful observations, opinions, and ideas!

Doug