Blogging: On Being Opinionated

What is indisputably true is that the majority of bloggers create blogs to publish their own views and opinions on essentially any subject that interest them. In that respect, they are not your typical journalist reporting straight news. They act as pundits, dispensing their own opinions or editorializing on matters that pique their fancy. They are therefore your most opinionated group.

 And many will not be shy to remind any reader/commenter straying from the line laid out in the blogs about this sacrosanct right. In other words, their behavior is quite congruent with human nature. 

 As children, we always wanted everyone around us to think, feel, and act like we do, or we balked. We gathered people around us who shared the same interests we do. And even as we got older, we still preferred to be with like-minded people, forming our closely-knit circle of friends. Excluding most everybody else as outsiders. 

 Though, mind you, as mature persons we know that we should not think too highly of all our opinions. 

 That pride is at the center of our avid quest in promoting our own deeply-held opinions. Because we know that we should be open-minded and not too foolish to believe that we know all the answers. 

 Though we have learned to accept that when one listens to others, the better likelihood is that we can learn more, rather than when we are constantly promoting and defending our own set opinions. 

 Though we have learned also that at times, it is the better part of discretion not to express one’s opinions on all the things that are wrong in the world. And that listening and being silent work better toward peace and harmony. 

 That in most times, discussions center on the likes and dislikes of people, and are thus not that important to one’s life. 

 That it takes deep humility and delicate charity to restrain one’s deep urge to correct people and things at the slightest opportunity. 

That because of our inability to control this inclination so much hurt has been inflicted on neighbors all in the name of not compromising the “truth”. 

 That the control of the tongue is in many instances the greater virtue to practice, because we understand that peace is better prepared for in solitude and silence.