I’ve held a lot of opinions in my life, none too far-reaching nor absurd in my estimation. In recent times I’ve grown increasingly mistrustful, and often downright disdainful, of these opinions. It’s not that I don’t have the conviction of my beliefs; quite the opposite actually. I believe wholeheartedly in the things that sustain me: family, friends, and living a clean and honest life. As for most other things, which means just about everything there is to have an opinion on, I prefer to leave myself receptive to new information.

The funny thing about new information is that it often pops up at inconvenient and surprising times, like a sudden hard rain when the forecast said sunny all day. It forces us to confront previously held beliefs, norms, mores and beloved traditions. It contravenes cultures, religion, politics, and societal ebbs and flows. It simply shows up unannounced and thrusts itself upon us. And, despite our best attempts to suppress it, ignore it or challenge it, it doesn’t go away; never has. Continue reading →