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Everyone has an opinion. The question becomes 'how will you express your opinion' as opposed to 'whether or not you should share it?' Too many times, people get turned off by *in your face* people who act like their opinion came straight from the highest authority. Even when you are in agreement with them, you just can't help egging them on, as they raise their voice and stand on the highest ground, appreciating that you recognize what they are saying, and thrilled that they somehow imparted greater cognitive reasoning and understanding of the subject matter into you.

They give absolutely no credence to the fact that you might think they are a complete idiot for standing on some high horse that doesn't even exist. If two or more people are in agreement about a subject, why would anyone need to put himself above the other? For that matter, if two or more people disagree about something, wouldn't it be more beneficial to be polite and considerate about what the others have to say, before presuming to be right and claiming a stake in the conversation?

The real problem is not about opinions at all. It is about pride and ego that inflate the identity of some people at the expense of others. Common courtesy demands mutual respect when people discuss issues and communicate with each other verbally and non-verbally. When properly expressed, opinions can and do change the world, but they must be managed and orated at the appropriate time, in a dignified manner, and in a refined setting to gain the most benefit from them.

Intelligence does not equate with insight when it comes to opinions. To be insightful, one must be sensitive to the perceptions surrounding an issue. Knowing facts and spewing them like some mastermind ready to judge anyone dumb enough to dispute said topics, only reinforces those with a different opinion. Smart people incapable of learning from others actually increase opposition for their own opinions.

There is an emotional attachment to opinions that know-it-alls tend to underestimate. Facts may be accurate, but emotions are valid. Facts and emotions can complement each other, often leading to greater understanding in the process. It is only when facts get inspired by emotions that people can influence others with their opinion. So if you shut out the heart of the matter, you run the risk of losing the audience completely.

Thoughtful expression of opinion therefore, requires intense scrutiny of the motive behind voicing that opinion. If it is only to further inflate an already overgrown ego, perhaps it should be set aside completely. On the other hand, if an opinion is being expressed to engage in thoughtful discussion and conversation, tending to the needs and emotions of all parties involved, it will likely encourage understanding and cooperation to work toward a viable conclusion.

Learn more about this author, M. J. Joachim.
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