Did you take a good look at the picture above?? I like this picture. For me it tells everything about our NO OPINION-assignment for this week. Yes, you’ve read it right. We got the assignment to not think and express any opinions this week, no positive ones and no negative ones. Not expressing can already be challenging in my perspective 😉 but also not thinking in my mind without expressing it, verbally or non-verbally, well that is also challenging.
What is an opinion? The Cambridge dictionary gives the following explanation: an opinion is
A) a thought or belief about something or someone
B) the thoughts or beliefs that a group of people have
C) a judgment about someone or something
D) a judgment made by an expert
Oh, it wasn’t that easy this week, not having an opinion. In all honesty I failed several times, and even laughing at myself about this. During several conversations this week I wondered, how can I react to what the other person is saying without giving an opinion to that. I got more aware again, how easily I have an opinion. For me the most challenging ones are the ones expressing my sympathy for the situation the other person is in. For an example in one conversation with a friend who is not feeling that well right now and the doctors presume a certain illness. One of my first reactions is that it’s not good news. Hmmm, yes this is an opinion I have. This is a thought or belief I have about that illness and also that a group of people have. Does my opinion count for that other person? Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t. Does it change the situation for that person? Does it make that person feeling better about what is going on? Does my opinion enable the other to express their true thoughts and feeling? No, if I think about it further it isn’t. My opinion doesnt’t contribute to that. It’s seen from my perspective, not the perspective of the other person.
So “work on progress” on this matter for the coming week, not having and expressing an opinion and having fun with it. Resulting in being more conscious about what is going on in my mind and enabling others to express their true thoughts and feelings. ❤
Have a great week!
With love,
Chantal
MasterKey Experience of Chantal 
3 November 2015 at 00:28
I love that we are the masterpiece of our own lives. Thanks for the great post.
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10 November 2015 at 10:30
Thank you for your reply, Nola! I really appreciate it.
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3 November 2015 at 07:13
How true! You could always put a gag over your mouth, but not over your brain. Sounds like an impossible chore, but maybe that’s the point!
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10 November 2015 at 10:36
Thank you for your reply, Reeda! It is a beautiful journey, not having an opinion. (Oh, an opinion again 😉 )
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6 November 2015 at 17:53
Great observations, Chantal, thanks for sharing. I totally relate to the challenges keeping opinions out of my thoughts, what saved me most was seeing clients at the clinic and actually being “aloud” having an opinion as that is an area of expertise for me 😉
Mahalo, I appreciate You!
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10 November 2015 at 10:37
Mahola, Claes, for your reply! Thank you for your perspective on it. Being an expert and then expressing your opinion. ❤
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6 November 2015 at 18:52
A nice post. I enjoyed your thought processes. I can see you’ve “lived” it. Well done.
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10 November 2015 at 10:38
Thank you very much for your reply, Martin! Nice to read your comment.
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7 November 2015 at 07:48
It’s interesting to think about perspective – that we all have different ones – even of the same situation. And each of our realities is different. With all of the individual opinions, perspectives, and realities it’s amazing that we all get along as well as we do….
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10 November 2015 at 10:55
Thank you, Jolanda, for your reply! For me the picture on top of my blog keeps me “attentive” that two persons can have two totally different perspectives on the exact same situation. I like your vision on this.
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