However, I DO have my opinions ---and do express them at times. I think we ALL do--in one way or another. I am part of the 'fence-sitting' generation. That's good and that's bad. My generation doesn't always make decisions quickly or easily --so we 'sit on the fence'... On the other hand, it takes us 'fence-sitters', who can SEE both sides of a situation, to help with the compromise process. All of my life, I have been able to HELP when volatile situations occur. That is something I have always been proud of.
BUT---something came up recently while blogging which really took me aback.. I was on a friend's blog ----and gave 'my' opinion about a very 'touchy' subject. Uh-oh----I should have known better. Someone else shot back a very negative comment and PERSONALLY attacked me. I don't think that has ever happened to me before ---mainly because I don't usually allow myself to get in those kinds of situations. But --I did, and it hurt. ANYHOW----it's over and the entire post was deleted.
But now that I've thought about it, I wondered what others may think about this. I'd love to hear your thoughts and OPINIONS. Here are mine (take them ONLY as MY opinions and not facts):
-It's easy for someone to criticize someone else on paper, and say things that they may never say to their faces. I don't go to those kind of blogs--but I have heard about some horrible things in print on many controversial subjects.
-I learned that I obviously don't have much backbone when it comes to controversial subjects... Otherwise, I would have just ignored that nasty comment and not allowed it to upset me.
-It's also easy for any of us to say things and mean them one way--and someone else takes them another way. I'm sure we have ALL hurt someone's feelings at one time or another simply by the way we have written something. I'm sure I have done this myself without meaning any harm.
-Most people around me and in my life follow the old saying: "Let's agree to disagree" ... I don't think I have EVER been attacked personally for any opinion until now. It really threw me since this person doesn't really know anything about me.
-This has taught me to be more careful what I say when I make comments on others' blogs. But when can we express our opinions??????
-I may disagree with someone (and do)---but I hope and pray that I would NEVER attack them personally. What has happened to us as a people?????
I am not writing this post for anyone to say that you are sorry this happened to me... Please--please--please don't do this. It's not about me. It's over---and I've learned from it. And I'm sure it has probably happened to you. We all react and respond to things differently. Maybe you wouldn't have gotten so upset. None of us know how we'll react to things until they happen to us.. I have truly learned to be more careful while blogging!!
I am, however, writing this to have a discussion about how we as PEOPLE can feel free to express our opinions (even if they are different) --and have others respectfully disagree without getting personal. Life is too short for people to get so angry and mean--when someone disagrees with them. Thoughts????
I'll close with some quotes about OPINIONS:
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
Voltaire
"Those who never retract their opinions love themselves more than they love truth."
Joseph Joubert
“The foolish and the dead alone never change their opinions.”
James Russell Lowell
“I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.”
Edward Gitton
“Make sure you have a different opinion and people will talk about you.”
Arab Proverb
"A yawn may not be polite, but at least it is an honest opinion."
Unknown
After that last quote, I guess I'd better close this post!!!! ha
Have a great day.
Hugs,
