Opinions... Everyone Has Them

o·pin·ion [uh-pin-yuhn] (noun) - (1.) A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof. (2.) a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty. (3.) a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.

"The world is not run by thought, nor by imagination, but by opinion" (Elizabeth Drew)

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A good friend of mine today asked me to give him my definition of an opinion. I thought about it for a second, then answered, "What someone feels based on their knowledge and/or personal experience."

This started us on a path to a ten-minute discussion on why it is that some people take opinions so seriously. I don't mean seriously as in when a doctor tells you that you have to lose weight or else risk having a heart attack later. I mean seriously as in when someone (not an expert) tells you something you did not like and you let it ruin your day.

Let's face it. Everyone has an opinion. And they have one about everything. You never have to go far to get one.

But let's apply some common sense in the picture.

One morning, you wake up and put on a nice outfit. Something that you've worn many times before and really, really like how it feels and how it looks on you. Then you step out into the real world. A compliment or two comes your way. Then, say, an hour later, you draw the short straw. One person makes a negative comment about your outfit.

Is this person a fashion guru? A designer? Calvin Klein?

No? Then move on.

Unfortunately, what happens is that many people will let that one negative opinion ruin their day. They will sulk. Moan. Even cry. Then they have to talk to someone about it.

Sigh.

"I was having a good day 'til so-and-so said..."

Enough.

Get over it.

It's not society's job to hold everyone's hand and make them feel good. It's your job to make you feel good. And part of that comes from developing thick skin. The moment you wake up, you will be bombarded with opinions about everything.

What to eat. What not to eat.

What to wear. What not to wear.

Short hair. Tall hair.

No white after Labor Day.

For once, make a decision not to be a lemming. If you like it, do it. If you don't, leave it alone. If you like it and they don't like it (and you know who they are), screw 'em. If they disagree with you, it's not the end of the world.

Trust me. Or not. It's just my opinion.