Good Morning from Prince Edward Island,
Thank you for allowing me into your space and time day.
Let's have a cuppa together.
Last week, I had the opportunity to have breakfast with five men with whom I have acquaintance and an appreciation.
I enjoyed the time, and I look forward to the next get-together.
After spending the past year more or less shut-in and being an extrovert, being with others in conversation was refreshing.
Heading to work after the breakfast social, I started thinking about one word.
And it is the thread I pulled on today. Opinion.
Looking up synonyms, I found the most relevant as determined by Google’s algorithm.
When I review and think about each word, it reminds me of how society has in ‘my opinion’ moved from ‘we to me.’
It would be wonderful to see discussions on how we can make things better. And end with decisions made for the common good. Versus decisions to please the squeakiest wheel collective.
Pulling on this thread today has me entering a rabbit hole. And a topic that most likely was someone’s doctoral thesis.
Keeping this in mind, I have to give the subject, ‘a nice to meet you’ synopsis today.
How do opinions get formed?
Where do they come from?
Why do we form them?
We have public opinion, legal opinion, judicial opinion, group opinion, scientific opinion and some attempt to make decisions based on fact.
When I searched for the meaning of opinion, I found this on Psychology Today.
Opinions = Attitudes
In the psychological literature, “opinions” are referred to as “attitudes.” At the most fundamental level, people’s attitudes are described as being either positive or negative.
Besides an attitude’s positivity or negativity, researchers have also identified many other features that matter. For example, attitudes could be broad or more specific. Or attitudes could be based on morality.
There are a host of attitude features that have proven incredibly important in the research on attitudes. But there’s one especially useful distinction when it comes to people’s attitudes:
Whether they’re strong or weak.
The Three Tenants of Strong Attitudes
Although every attitude a person has can influence them—from their attitudes toward shampoo to their attitudes toward the military—researchers are particularly interested in strong attitudes.
Strong (vs. weak) attitudes are those that:
- Persist over time
- Resist persuasion
- Guide behaviour.
Strong (vs. weak) attitudes are the durable (persistent and resistant) and impactful (influential) attitudes that people hold.
Thus, researchers are most interested in understanding how people come to have strong attitudes and, importantly, what can be done to change them.
"The frontier is not a place; it is more of a positive and broad-minded attitude coupled with courage and audacity."~ Jeffrey A. Krames
When those with strong opinions need to express them, I think of the expression soapbox.
Blogs can be soapboxes within the context of the internet. And if this is my soapbox, let it be for good.
Sharing our opinion with others says a lot about our values.
At times I need to sit down and question where my opinion originates.
I regret sharing an opinion and learning I hurt someone with it. Or feel bad about myself after my ignorance is displayed.
It is natural to share opinions, and I do so based on what I think to be true. And sometimes, I do this to feel safe or superior in some way. (in my head at this very moment, I hear a giant buzzer hit by the game show host, WRONG)
I love being part of civil discussions where everyone is open to learning and growing.
Suppose peace of mind is the ultimate goal, then discussions can be fun and fun-da-mental to peace.
At the beginning of this year, I shared my word for the year was growth. I want development and peace of mind. With these as the goal, I need to regularly reflect on my opinions/attitudes. In doing so, allows me to learn if they are hindering my mental well-being.
Also, through the lens of is it helping others ask myself, am I?
To grow, I need to be an open listener. To grow as a society, we all need to be better listeners.
I love meeting people and most times enjoy hearing what they think.
I met thousands upon thousands of folks visiting our place. As a result, I have had the pleasure and displeasure of attending to a lot of opinions.
Positive thinking doesn’t solve every problem. But it’s a much better tool than negative thinking. ~ Seth Godin
In letting go of hardened opinions, I don’t need to worry about knowing anything.
If I am curious, have a capacity for wonder and a spirit of gratitude, I can have peace of mind on call anytime, anyplace. Amen.
"Gratitude is the inner gesture & attitude from which thank you springs when it is genuine is gratefulness." ~ Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast
All the 'what,’ all the 'how' is waiting for us to discover its ‘why.'
We can dive in, grow and pass it on. Be surprised, amused and inspired.
and what you do are in harmony.’ ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Being true to myself and true to my word is one of the secrets to living a good life.
Wishing a wonderful weekend on you and yours. And to all the mothers, I say thank you for the gift of life.
With love from Prince Edward Island.
Bruce & Millie
ps. Your Morning Smile
“Darling, I think the new dryer is shrinking my clothes.”
“No, sweetie, that was the fridge.”
Comments
Bruce MacNaughton said:
The birds in the photo are ‘bank swallows.’ https://bit.ly/2Q5Y4dv
May 10, 2021
althea said:
Ditto, Phil Britton. Bruce, what are those delightful, gorgeous happy birds. And where is this please? Thanks. Stay and be well. Peace. Blessings.
May 10, 2021
Phil Britton said:
Man you just seem to hit it every weekend. Happy to hear you were able to get out with others!
Just a of thought required today opinions can be so mistaken for their meaning or intent. Need to really
have them come from the heart before sharing them>
May 09, 2021
Lynn said:
Loved the quote “To find peace, you have to find gratefulness.” Along iwthyour great blog, it’s given me lots to think about.
blessings
Lynn
May 08, 2021
Cherye-Monique Edgar said:
“I love being part of civil discussions where everyone is open to learning and growing.” Best sentence in your post today, in my opinion 😋
This is what I want with every conversation and discussion that I have with people. Open mindedness is essential. I freely admit that I have strong opinions that I tend to stick with, but I am always willing to listen and learn if yours is different. It’s an opportunity to grow and be better.
I have been blessed to find friends who feel the same way.
May 08, 2021
Murdock Morrison said:
An interesting blog on opinion and attitude as we all have met people who have strong opinions and we then begin to judge their attitude and the kind of person that they are. The problem is when you try to change their opinion and then you notice how their attitude has changed. Trying to be positive as much as you can is always the best course to take no matter how difficult one’s opinion is because then you have to try to change their attitude and that becomes a battle. Thanks and have a good week. Murdock
May 08, 2021
Janet Dickie said:
Thanks so much for your blog Bruce – as always SO inspirational ! I sit here today remembering last Mothers Day 2020 when I had ordered a beautiful basket of such delectable treats for my mom in Charlottetown / and how your staff were unbelievably helpful and kind in helping fill it with goodies as covid shortages last year were starting to happen -my mom loved the basket —I didn’t realize it was the last Mothers Day we would have her here as she unfortunately passed away Oct 2020 – thanks for all you do that brightens our days
May 08, 2021
Gwen Gaudet said:
Love the blog, very thought provoking. Learned something new and went out to find the books The Choice and the Gift. Life long friend always enjoy your smile, your attitude, your beautiful story and just knowing all these great things you do for others! Cheers Bruce
May 08, 2021
Anne Gillis said:
Your word for the year ‘growth’ reminded me of my word for last year and this year – ‘allow’. It invites interesting reflection. I do enjoy these Saturday reads….
May 08, 2021
Nancy said:
In the stillness of the morning with the rain coming down, as I’ve been reflecting on your blog it reminded me of something I read this week on Facebook that aligns with what you shared:
LISTEN and SILENT are spelled with the same letters. Think about it.
May 08, 2021
Bryce schnare said:
Morn’n Bruce
Great Blog today! You hit the nail right on the head. We look forward to seeing you again before long.
PS
Kristen is student of Seth Godin. A few years back she graduated from his Alt MBA course and today on a part time basis teaches the online courses to people all around the globe
Bryce
May 08, 2021
Janice Riggs said:
As one who has had Parkinson’s disease for more than twenty years, I have learned a little about the value of optimism. Researchers tell us that an optimistic outlook produces beneficial chemicals in the brain, just as laughter or moments of joy do. Along with exercise and an individually determined balance of medications, this attitude can help in resisting the disease. There may, of course, be undiscovered factors at work as well, but I am convinced that optimism is one reason why after all these years I have few and very mild symptoms of Parkinson’s. When I meet new people, no one ever guesses that I have this disabling illness. I know that the disease will advance. It always does. But I have been blessed with over twenty years of holding it at bay, for which gift I am highly grateful.
May 08, 2021
Tati said:
Your boots are part of my Saturdays mornings! Directly after breakfast, before I cleanup I sit down to read, explore, listen and grow. Thank you so much for your dedication to writing them and sharing your opinions! Your reference to our ability to choose is in line with two books I have just read and reread back to back. “The Choice” and “The Gift” both by Dr. Edith Eva Ever. Her life from Auschwitz prisoner to a psychologist is extraordinary. The gifts she shares with the reader about choice hold wisdom.
We are hopeful we can return to my husband’s island home to breath the island air, see friends, make music on the deck, enjoy your lovely resteraunt and stock up on all our favourite teas and jams. Thank you for all.
May 08, 2021
Susan B said:
Great analysis of opinion and attitude.
Thank you for these videos that take us out of our locale and let us see these talented musicians all over the world !!
I love Stevie; beautiful song.
Can’t wait to gift my PEI Preserves Mother Day collections.
Have a wonderful Spring week !!
Susan B
May 08, 2021
Debbie Wynne said:
Loved this mornings read….very thought provoking. In a letter to my parents once I thanked my Mom for instilling in me the eyes and spirit of a child and my Dad for giving me the curiosity gene. It made the world a wondrous place to grow up in. No matter how strong or deeply seated my opinions may be, I was always taught to listen and weigh the opinion of others. According to my parents that was the true meaning of respect. Thanks for reminding me of this Bruce…..take good care Debbie
May 08, 2021
Pierre Bedard said:
Society has moved from ‘we’ to ‘me’: how true, and how dangerous for our common good. Imagine if bees or ants did the same!
May 08, 2021
Bev Shapiro said:
Hi Bruce, your blog resonated with me today, in light of the horror of the last four years of politics in America.
Lots of people have opinions about Trump and vaccines, not based on truth or fact. It has been very painful for those of us who read, believe in science and are questioners.
May 08, 2021
Julie MacKenzie said:
Love the “Higher Ground” video…Great articles on opinion & attitudes. Thanks for sharing your blog Bruce! I look forward to it every weekend. Happy Mother’s Day to all! Have a great weekend! :)
May 08, 2021