Opinions.

Everyone has one. Whether it is voiced or silent. Whether it is worth protesting, or not. Opinions can be a point of contention or a rallying point for a cause.

Everywhere you look, and in every reach of media you see them. What others think about this. What others think about that. What others think will happen. What others felt about what has happened. What others think could have prevented an event and what others think could have been different in the course of history.

We see the polls that represent people’s “opinions.” The media outlet asks for our “votes” and our “comments” as if, in the grand scheme of things, it will make a difference. One is usually right, the other is generally wrong and to take a noncommittal attitude will cause an opinionated poll as to why others think you didn’t pick a side.

Bottom line, as ironic as it may seem, since this is a newspaper “opinion column,” what’s the point?

Some seek to educate with facts that support their opinions. Others may not have any scientific logic, but possess just a “gut feeling.”

Jim Jones attracted quite a large following to his organization, his People’s Temple, through sermons that were originally Biblically based and practically applied to responsibility and community. When his teaching became opinionated and skewed, he led his sheep to slaughter. Sheep that were not free to have their own opinions because they had been so prone to latch on to the opinions of others.

In divided America today, the question remains as to whether people are being led by the opinions of others or whether they are truly making up their own minds. Decisions based on the feelings and opinions of others can be dangerous.

It’s one thing to receive wise counsel based on actual facts and truth, but a state of mind and a defined direction must be found deep within one’s own self.  

The worst dressed woman at the Grammy’s was decided by conjecture and opinion. The MVP of the Super Bowl came about in much the same way. When the best picture of 20-whatever comes out, most of you reading this will not have had a say, but you will hear the opinions. When popular opinion doesn’t agree with your opinion, what DO you do?

Some speak out while others stew silently. And the media wins again. We asked for it. We wanted to know what others thought. Why? Enquiring minds want to know?

It is a safe place to pick the winner. It is a warm fuzzy feeling to know that others agree with you on something. It is exhilarating to think that you had the power of opinion to pick the winner, or the losers.

“Why the Colorado Rockies will win the pennant in 2021. Why Joe Biden will be impeached. Who will be the big winners at the Cannes Film Festival in July?”

Why do we care or waste our time with the opinions of prognosticators? It’s all meant to make you take a stand. The media says, “We’re pickin’ sides – you playing?” Has it come to this? Is life hinging on the opinions of others at the expense of our own tempers?

Opinion? Walk away. Read a book. Watch a movie with someone you love. Hug your kids and then take them to the zoo. Life is way too short. And so are the temperaments of the opinionated. We have an “off-button” on our televisions and wisdom comes when we are not sucked into the insanity.