Listening to the varying views on any subject these days is very confusing. It is difficult to know who to believe and this brings chaos to our thinking. The current health crisis has brought to the surface conflicting information we are supposed to understand without enough expertise. The experts we are supposed to listen to are themselves facing an unprecedented situation that does not have a historical or cyclical precedent. This to my mind has made it difficult to know whose opinion to trust.
Opinion in the dictionary definition is a judgement or belief not founded on certainty or proof.
But how are opinions formed? The strongest way must be through repeated exposure to the same ideas or notions. These can come from media, academia, friends and family and people of influence like teachers, etc. However, before we start believing in any new notions it would need to feel as if it makes sense. Though how many of us give it enough thought before we start talking about it as if we agree with the idea and hence as our opinion?
Observation in the dictionary definition is an act or instance of noticing or perceiving.
Personally experiencing a situation and then talking about it gives an idea some weight. This then is no longer just conjecture but personal understanding. This is original, first-hand experience that we can trust. If our conversations were based on our own observations, then there would be more authenticity in our inter-actions. This would also bring more respect and honesty in our relationships. Perhaps we need to seek observation rather than opinion from each other. This could reduce confusion and instead bring more clarity to our thinking, which in turn bring balanced approach to our decisions. Would not this bring us peace?
Once we formulate strong opinions on any subject, we tend to form a bias for one side of an argument. If we want a resolution then we need to offer our observations so that both sides come from a space of wisdom, not ego.
Blinding Truths 