�Who Says You Can�t Teach an Old Dog a New Trick or Two�

The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed, in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a wide-spread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible.

Bertrand Russell

Now isn’t that a great opinion – and in most cases hits the nail on the head – oh wait that’s my opinion

In any case a few years back I was discussing honesty with a friend and he stated that while he attempts to be as honest as possible in all his interactions, he is fully aware that his honesty is an ever evolving process and as he becomes privy to more information his honesty at that moment will be altered sometime in the future.

Take a minute and think about that – in many 12 step programs they state “As the onion peels more will be revealed.” So where does that leave ones opinion – well obviously incomplete of all facts at any given moment and of no real greater value than anyone else’s – no matter what we may be thinking especially in the heat of the moment.

So how do I feel when I get a positive comment towards my opinion when I state it in my blog – I’m happy that the topic has assisted the reader by validating their views or by sparking their interest in some way pertaining to the subject.

And how do I feel when I get comments with somewhat of a harsher tone – I appreciate them just the same because their opinion is formulated from the way they see the topic and just because they see things different than I – doesn’t make their opinion of less value than mine.  

With that being said, the hardest part about writing a blog that is willing to tackle subjects that are in many cases controversial – is the fact that I won’t be able to please everyone – but I know that and I accept that. The point is not to win favor but to challenge people to question their thinking and just as importantly for me to question mine.

I know life will never be perfect – and I dare say chances of Frank Moffatt’s opinion’s attaining perfection are slim and none. But I will continue to blog and state my opinion and I will continue to learn from those who like my opinion and I will continue to learn from those who don’t like my opinion – so long as I remain open and willing to accept that everyone’s opinion carry’s equal value and in keeping with the Bertrand Russell opinion – remain clear that popularity is not a determining factor in an opinions validity.

Yesterday Canada won the Gold medal in hockey and when you looked at the American players it showed just how far we may have gone off base as a society. Their heads were all hanging down, no smiles, they appeared to be failures – FAILURES – how bad can it be to be the second best hockey team in the world?

They aren’t failures they are all winners – every last person who does the best he or she can do at whatever they are doing is a winner.

So, why are the results of our athlete’s actions, judged upon the accomplishments of others? And why if they don’t win are they deemed a disappointment and labelled as “first place, second place … LOSERS!”  

Because a great deal of our society has lost touch with the true meaning of sport – fitness, compassion, understanding and appreciation of the accomplishments of others – because we have become enamoured with our own opinions and feel it’s our God given right to judge the performance of others – because when we judge others we don’t need to look at ourselves, our own life and our personal affairs – because we don’t need to be accountable for our opinions because everyone is entitled to their opinion!!!

In any case “I am Canadian” and yes I was happy to see Sid the kid take that pass from Iggy and slip it past the best player in the tournament (Ryan Miller of the US), but had we lost my enjoyment of the game was not based upon the outcome – it was based upon just how amazing each and every one of these athletes truly are and how exciting the game was.

I any case I have learned that win or lose the sun will come up tomorrow but when I state my opinion it’s my way of justifying my lack of action or to create a distraction so I might hide from the negative reflections in my mirror.

Now I know we all have an opinions BUT my opinion has been carefully formulated over years of research, listening, watching and participating in the things I like – SO when I speak of my opinion it must be correct – RIGHT!!

I mean, this information that I have chosen to allow into my mind from others – and to reformulate into my words, because it’s something that I’m truly interested in and because I care so deeply about it certainly makes my opinion correct – RIGHT!!

I mean it’s not like I am talking about something I know nothing about – I mean like I am committed to my beliefs – so that commitment has to make my opinion right – RIGHT!!

OR

Could my opinion be inaccurate because those that I have read – those that I have listened to, those that I have I have witnessed and followed had limited information on the subjects that they spoke upon? No way – RIGHT!

But maybe the point is that POSSIBLY my opinion is limited to those that I have followed – therefore my opinion is POSSIBLY flawed – RIGHT!

Oh Well!!!!!

The good news is that I know that my opinion has been influenced by people like me and so therefore it must be flawed.

The bad news is that this type of thinking would make all opinions on this earth flawed.

The good news is that I have come to respect the opinions of others – even though I might not agree because I know their opinions are flawed.

The bad news – I’m still going to give my opinion anyway – flaws and all.

The good news – I will be reserving my next opinion until Monday’s Blog.

The bad news – my ego has lots of time to justify whatever I decide to write about over the weekend.

The good news – I wish you all a great weekend !!