Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing their opinion. — Proverbs 18:2
My daily routine starts with coffee, cereal, and reading the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper (in that order). But in reading the Post today, what stood out to me was the “Opinion” section. That’s where you’ll find letters to the editor and articles from columnists.
Regardless of the opinion section authors, you’ll see each following a similar path:
This is what I think.
This is why I think it.
Therefore, this is why you should think like me.
Such articles help us form our own opinions. However, are you aware of how many opinions we encounter every day outside that section in the Post? We’re constantly bombarded by them, everywhere we turn. The Proverbs writer was correct: It’s easier, and more fun, to pop off what we think about topics, people, and–especially–politics. And it’s satisfying if we get likes and a following whenever we give our point of view. It deceives us into thinking that our small sliver of a perception is somehow Mt. Sinai-like truth.
Seeking understanding, though, means having the humility to know we’re each limited–by genes, environment, personality, experience. We’re incapable of chiseling new Ten Commandments on the issues that confront us. We need patience, reflection, and openness. And for us Christians, we need to strive to see and think as Jesus does (Philippians 2).
Here’s a suggestion that might help us reboot our spirits. It’s a practice followed by folks dedicated to seeking understanding instead of pretending to have it.
Set aside a day to fast from people’s opinions.
On that day, turn off all forms of media where those opinions thrive: social, electronic, print.
Turn on to the beauty around you and, in some small way, gain understanding from it.
Before going to bed tonight, thank God for the beauty you discovered.
I’m reviewing this meditation on the Sunday before it’s published. I’ve determined that today I will practice what I write and fast from the opinion buffet. Maybe Sundays are good days to say goodbye to the Post, Facebook, and any place else where people want me to validate their points of view.
What do you think? This could be a healthy soul-exercise to do every so often. At least, that’s my opinion.
POSTSCRIPT: After reading this meditation to my wife, she said a perfect example is our disagreement over olives and chicken livers. She thinks olives are wonderful, while I think they are the mistakes of the cuilinary world. I think fried chicken livers are great, and she thinks they’re a total abomination. Yet, somehow, we still love each other.
I like both chicken livers and olives. I think I’ll try the fast in your article.
It’s very hard to escape opinions in today’s world. I personally like hearing others opinions which I thinks keeps me from being totally narrow minded. It would be a dull world without opinions. Discernment is key!!