Opinion: An idea. A personal perspective or expressions of judgment with no real evidence.
Fact: A thing known or proved to be true. Truth sustained through evidence.
Now that we have the definitions out of the way, let us go on a journey to uncover what really lies behind what we consider fact and opinion.
Where does the idea end and the truth begin? What is truth? Is there only one truth? Is it possible to have truth without facts?
As observant beings, proof is important to us. Evidence is reassurance that we are on or following the ‘right’ path. It is our comfort, security, and stability. It keeps us balanced and focused. While we may not always like the evidence we encounter, it is real and ‘real’ not only allows us to make sense of our world but have somewhat control of it.
For something to be determined ‘real’, it must serve all our sensors. However, even that which may seem distinctly real to us requires acknowledgement and agreement from others to assume it as the reality and truth we know. Otherwise, it becomes part of our insanity or eccentric personality.
For this reason, we share. We share our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and experiences. We share them because it is how we connect, influence, gather, and convince others of our truth. It is how we strengthen the ‘reality’ of our stories.
We share our opinions all day every day. They are a constant collection of various external perceptions, beliefs, and thoughts we encounter along our physical trail. When thoughts become important to us, we think of them often. That which we think of often becomes our primary belief or desire.
As creative beings, it is almost impossible to stop thinking because we cannot stop creating. Which also means we cannot prevent having opinions.
We focus on multiple subjects all day long. Our personal experiences surrounding any subject will be based on what general umbrella we linger in – fear or appreciation. Not only do our interpretations of what we see, hear, taste, touch and smell vary; how we interpret what we observe and how we absorb what we hear depends on our current mood extending from fear or appreciation.
Our moods are also ever changing. We are up and down all day because everything we see, hear, taste, touch and smell will trigger a memory, thought or opinion. Sometimes our ups and downs are like little ripples and other times they are colossal waves taking us to extreme highs and lows.
However, emotions do not just happen to us, we are effectively feeling our thoughts. Therefore, we feel what we have practiced into belief. When what we believe emerges from fear, (which is ultimately doubt) we experience the various emotions that stem from it such as frustration, anger, anxiety, or confusion. If we paid attention to our thoughts, we would understand why we feel bad so often. There is not a single person, place or experience that could ever make us feel a certain way other than our perspective or opinion of it at the time.
Every single moment and situation can be interpreted in an infinite number of ways. How we respond or react in every moment reflects our thoughts and mood at the time. Which means we always have absolute control of how our experience will unfold.
Regardless of what is ‘happening’ around us, how we individually experience a moment is personal because how we interpret what we observe is based on pre-conceived beliefs extending from fear or appreciation. Doubt or trust. Optimism or pessimism. Love or hate. And it begins with our mind projections and what we see in our mind’s eye first.
Emotions are the first manifestations we experience even often before the full manifested physical reality. Feeling our thoughts or beliefs emotionally connects us to the story we are telling. Feeling it is proof enough that it exists because we have experienced the energy of it.
Even whilst we move through this thing called ‘life’ physically, our life experience is emotional. In fact, it does not matter what we are physically doing, we experience it all emotionally. The emotions that arise in us are formed through practiced beliefs that assure us of the reality we fear or appreciate. And so, we continue to form opinions.
However, an opinion is just an opinion that holds little value unless there is evidence to support it.
‘Facts’ carry absurd power. They carry power because they enhance a story. A master storyteller knows how to mask or accentuate areas through clever, psychological manipulation of facts.
We are completely driven by facts because we live in a world that requires evidence. We use facts as a guide to how we live our lives. We use them to justify our actions, decisions, and behaviors. We use them as ammunition against others who have opposing views. We use them to demand change and attention. We use them to insert our own beliefs that benefit our lifestyles and even our pockets. We use them to ambush each other or ‘educate’ others. And we use them to influence future generations.
We love facts because they gather audiences and strengthen our stories.
While not surprising, it is quite interesting where we flock to acquire our information and data. The most reliable sources of ‘truth’ during childhood were predominantly our parents and teachers. Soon thereafter, modern technology assumed its position as a sort of proprietor of truth telling with all the facts, details, and statistics available.
With the illimitable information at our fingertips, it is easy to become submerged into a perpetual fact-feasting frenzy. It is as if anyone could be truth-bearers. And ultimately, they/we can. Except there seems to be truth injected in almost everything.
We can be informed about the health benefits of coffee along with all the research, science, and facts to prove it. And off we go drinking our two, three, four cups of coffee a day. Boosting our energy, increasing our memory function, providing antioxidants to battle viruses, and revving up our metabolism are only among the few well-convincing reasons to consume it.
But what happens when there are equally as many harmful effects throwing us in the ‘greater risk for heart disease, poor health and even earlier death’ pile? Well, what generally happens is coffee lovers will stick with the beneficial truth. Those who love and believe in the benefits of coffee will reap its rewards and will serve to become part of the evidence moving this idea of ‘coffee equals health’ further up the truth ladder. Those who have been convinced otherwise will experience the negative effects and they too will become the proof of the opposing theory.
Choosing a side, a perspective or opinion is how we move through life. And we do this with the media.
We rely heavily on media as the most prominent and reliable source for the yielder of facts. We embrace them as a sort of paragon for truth telling. Media consistently market themselves as the fact bearers and truth holders using their famous ‘what you need to know’ or ‘most trusted source’ slogans. And we are fooled into it every time. But how is it that different news channels can have such conflicting stories of the ‘truth’ and yet still be authenticated by facts? It can be confusing.
Depending on which side our loyalty lies, often more ‘facts’ are produced to convince us that the ‘other side’ has distorted the truth, and their facts are manipulated to merely fit their narrative. But how do we know which side is telling the truth and which has manipulated them? How can there be so many ‘facts’ about opposing truths?
Like any business, the media understand to rise above their competitors, they must offer something new and compelling. The good news for them is, there is never a shortage of events. However, the bad news for us is the events they pluck out over millions of others is a cleverly articulated, psychological method which fixates on our sensitivities, vulnerabilities, and fears. Current affairs are calculatingly selected that not only attract and engage large audiences but sustain our attention by inflating stories through perpetual insinuations. This is easily done by minimizing the human factor and blowing up the supposed moralistic view.
And while we defend in proclamation that there is video, verbal, written or tangible evidence to back up the media’s position, it is rarely objective. In fact, all those involved or affected would have quite a contrasting experience and perspective.
Media have the power to make or break someone just as they can embellish or demolish a business or idea. Interestingly, their power is us, the people. They merely feed us information we eagerly and easily consume and then we spew our wrath of judgment and hate toward those we are influenced to hate and elevate those we have been influenced to love. Even though we know nothing about the person, place, thing, business, or idea personally other than what media ‘inform’ us of, we act as though we do. And we use these ‘facts’ as justification for our behavior.
But would we behave in the same manner with as much aggression, hatred, and isolation if it were one of our children, one of our parents or family members? Would we be as quick to cast stones? Would we join forces with other groups to ensure they are muted and destroyed?
When we love, know, or understand the human behind any situation or event, the story changes and so too do our actions and perspectives.
Unfortunately, it is not easy to turn our backs on media when we are convinced, we must remain connected for the assurance of our safety and well-being. Many of us have been guzzling fear and drama for so long, we do not recognize life, people, and the world outside of that. So, it makes sense to wake up and fall asleep with the theatrics of the news.
Media maintain our interest through the utilization of numbers, statistics, and predictions. The higher the numbers the more it validates the accuracy and believability of their story. Through their manipulation of facts, stories, and sources, they preserve their power to control our focus and perspective. And like a school of fish, we swim in erratic unison to the beat of our own fear guided by the media.
They are a 24hr show based on 99% opinions. They fill this time with ‘sources’ that maintain their view to be more convincing of their narrative. To understand where the idea ends and the truth begins, we rely on these sources to provide credible information. Those who fight hard to win us over with their truth will exploit scientists, doctors, investigators and anyone with a specialty, degree, popularity, or good reputation to seal and claim the truth as theirs.
Except you see, doctors have opposing perspectives of medicine, each with their own collection of experiences and paperwork filled with research, cases, and ‘proof’ under their arms. Not to mention the varying medical practices around the world such as modern, alternative, homeopathy, oriental or ayurvedic medicine (which is possibly the oldest medical system in the world) which all carry contrasting views of healing and wellness.
Science uses a systematic and logical approach to understand how things work in the universe. But while science is viewed as the body of knowledge, it is also the embodiment of continuous observation, exploration, experimentation, and change.
Therefore, like a meteorologist struggles to predict the ever-changing weather patterns, so too do scientists understand predicting something a month or year from now reduces the likelihood of such prophecies significantly. Their projections are based on information that is available right now. Therefore, holding tight onto scientific declarations are no more reliable than hanging on to our umbrellas due to a ‘possible’ storm.
And while science may study living cells, the earth, and our cosmos, do not forget there is also ‘science’ to manipulation, marketing, deception, and control.
So, what makes one source more valid or qualified over another? Absolutely nothing. It boils down to who is a more powerful influencer, what has been the most practiced belief, or what is the preferred fable. And when it comes to large personal interest, influencers can get downright dirty to maintain our loyalty.
After all there can only be one truth, right?
Not necessarily.
You see, the problem with ‘facts’ is that a cup can be half full as it can be half empty. Both are true just by merely shifting our perspective.
If there were only one truth, we would not have excessive conflict surrounding so many varying topics. It is inevitable. Where there is good there is bad. Where there is presence, there is absence. Love/hate, positive/negative, optimist/pessimist, trust/fear, wellness, or illness. I mean, this could go on for quite some time.
One could not exist without the other. It is the beauty of contrast that maintains the balance of life. It is the separation and coming together of two opposites that gives birth to something new. It is evolution. It is the inhalation and exhalation of life.
Therefore, there is not one thing truer than another. It is merely shifting our focus between empowerment or disempowerment.
Every influencer begins with a story, belief, interpretation, or opinion first. Ironically, facts are not only weak but non-existent without opinions. They surface through our stories. Therefore, facts need to follow a criteria, story, or theory to deem them facts, otherwise it is just evidence up for grabs. Which means, it is not necessarily about the physical evidence rather the stories wrapped around them that give them meaning. Hence, facts CAN be manipulated to fit a specific narrative or perspective.
For example, evidence can be gathered that a particular woman was at a bar at 2:30 am. Witnesses, cameras, photos, receipts etcetera can be assembled as ‘facts.’ However, while there is physical evidence of her presence at a bar, it does not prove she is a neglectful mother, an alcoholic daughter or deceitful wife. They are narratives built around these facts which calculatingly portray her as this person simply by the ‘proof’ compiled knowing absolutely nothing about her motives, life, history, experiences, thoughts, or feelings.
Even a case in a courtroom is determined by a lawyer’s compelling and convincing argument and his/her ability to manipulate and mold evidence to blend with a story. This is what makes a great high paid attorney. Facts are useless without a story, but they can be highly impactful within a well-written script or persuasive presentation.
When we want our belief to be taken seriously, the story and the facts need to look big. ‘Big’ grabs our attention. The best way we know how to make something look ‘big’ is through drama. Drama stimulates our low energy emotions. Emotions that make us feel out of control and vulnerable such as fear, anxiety, doubt, or anger. Drama portrays this illusion of something flawed or fractured and remains focused on a problem just as the media have mastered.
Unfortunately, nowadays facts, media, and technology are the modern arsenal. It is how ‘armies’ or let us call them ‘frail hosts’ are gathered and led to destroy their opposition or weakest link.
Powerful influencers know that when we are at our most vulnerable, we are also the most pliable. We are willing to do ANYTHING for our safety and peace of mind. In fact, we would turn against our own family and friends. We are most easily influenced, disciplined, and adaptable when we become submissive to the majority view. Our compliancy places others’ desires and demands above our own. And just like that, their beliefs and stories become ours.
Like any animal, when we take away their freedom, they become accustomed to the parameters and confinements we create. A cowboy would refer to such a bending of will as ‘breaking their spirit’ to tame a wild horse. They quickly learn basics such as food and play are controlled and their new normal is no longer following their instinct but following rules. They also learn to follow what is expected and demanded of them in trade for what they no longer have power to give themselves.
Dependency is the greatest form of control.
In a similar manner we are convinced that our bodies are not built or capable of maximum health without a ‘magic potion’. In the interest of preserving our health, we must follow the rules and guidelines of those who apparently possess the antidote to this well-being.
We are also persuaded that our beings are imperfect, cruel, and incapable of harmony without intervention. For the sake of maintaining this harmony, we must follow the orders of those who claim to bear the pathway to this stability.
And we are led to believe our minds do not possess the know-how or wisdom to understand the world or even ourselves. With the intention of avoiding conflict, we must follow the opinions, and advice of those who harbor the skills of leadership and expertise.
Sometimes, we do not always require evidence to be easily influenced. Depending on whose expertise, titles, qualifications, or relationships we value, their opinion is often enough to convince us of their truth. In fact, there is a culture that unless you are a commodity, are successful or famous then your opinions are discardable. And so, not only do we value the opinion of those we hold at high regards, but we trust them implicitly.
It is inevitable we search for evidence we have already practiced into belief. Once we have made up our minds about something, more of that which we have practiced mentally and felt emotionally will show up.
Having already imagined our beliefs in detail and experienced them emotionally, the physical manifestation is merely the residue of an already perfectly crafted story. That which we call ‘reality’. That which we hang so tightly to. Unfortunately, while we are masterful creators of our stories, we tend to deny our own masterpieces.
As story tellers and creators, wherever we guide our story, so too does all the evidence follow. We are also story interpreters. We interpret everything through our senses that filter through the lens of our minds. Otherwise, an object is just an object, a sound just a sound and a smell just a smell. Everything simply is until we have an opinion about it.
It is not due to the evidence showing up that turns us into believers, but rather our belief in something that makes the evidence and experiences show up. We cannot see, hear, taste, touch, smell, feel or experience what we do not believe because fundamentally, we have already denied its existence.
That which we strongly believe becomes part of our physical reality. Our eyes, ears, body, cells, and the world all adjust to perfectly deliver the evidence of our beliefs. While we may not always recognize what physically shows up, we will always recognize it emotionally.
Nevertheless, they exist. It all exists as the truth because we are the living truth of all that is, ever was and ever will be.
When we search for truth in this physical reality, we are trying to define what part of what we have imagined and created is real. The discord we experience is our unwillingness to accept that it is all part of this life. Whether we agree or disagree with the opinions or facts we encounter, it all exists. If someone imagined, interpreted, observed, or believed it, then it is the truth. Even if it is not the truth we know. Therefore, the good, the bad and the ugly all exist to the extent that we imagine, include, accept, and allow them into our experience. However, this also means that we are only concerned with satisfying our physical senses.
The confusion we hold about truth is that while some facts may not always be or feel good, it is considered as the ‘right’ or only way. There is a warped perception hidden within the depths of its labels and complex meanings that it can only be accepted as truth when it is holding hands with evidence. And we exhaust ourselves trying to gather all our facts to ‘one-up’ our opponents.
This is understandable and quite a ‘natural’ expectation in a physical, material world. As habitual creatures, repetition is the momentum of life. It is the summoning, enhancing, and buffering of our creative stories through energy. After all, life cannot be sustained without keen focus and frequency. It requires our undivided attention because without our attention to any subject, story, or idea, it ceases to exist.
However, aside from the physical truth that we are accustomed to and exclusively recognize as part of our physical reality held within the confinements of rules, labels, and facts; there is another kind of truth. A truth that is absolute and significant. The only truth worth knowing.
There is a distinguishable difference between the truth that exists outside of us and the truth that we are within. Unfortunately, the noisy truth we have been listening to and amply practicing outside of us has muffled the voice of the truth within.
Pure truth is uninfluenced and is not governed by a medley of beliefs. It does not sprout from our thinking. It is not based upon facts or evidence. It is not even part of the ‘reality’ we observe obsessively.
Truth does not demand the muting or diminishment of something or someone in order to thrive. It does not require anyone to be or do anything to be joyous. It does not have a stubborn desire to explain, persuade or justify its existence or significance. And it certainly does not need to be seen, heard, or validated by others.
It understands that at the core of its energy, it is love. An extraordinary, powerful love. One that stands strong within its own force and self-awareness. Where no scientist could ever define or comprehend its complexity and brilliance. No doctor could ever recognize or appreciate the well-being that abounds. And no journalist or media could ever corrupt, conceal, or deny the mastery, mystery, and magnificence that it is.
Inner truth is centered. It emanates from our being where there is clarity, love, joy, trust and knowing. It always comes from a place of well-being and upliftment.
When external ‘truth’ disempowers us through fear, disconnects us from our inner being, fills our emotions with negativity, imbalance, disorder, confusion, and dis-ease, then it is not our ‘truth’. It is someone else’s ‘truth’ that is falsely and connivingly used to disempower us for their benefit, whatever that may be. The only reason we believe in such negativity is that we have told their stories, practiced them, and lingered there for far too long.
Fear makes us doubt nature. It makes us doubt our own body, our inner being, our higher, stronger, loving, resilient self. It makes us doubt our natural makeup – our inner truth. When a mind is weakened, so too does the body follow. Everything works in perfect synchronicity. Everything cooperates, the moment we make up our minds. Which means we are stuck in a mindset and an opinion of distrust that continues to recycle evidence that only serves to satisfy our beliefs.
Ultimately, there is only one truth that matters – the truth of who we are.
When we shed all our labels, titles, fears, and fixed ideals. When we decide to merge with our inner being than to yield to others’ versions, we discover our invincibility.
There is no greater knowledge or opinion worth more than that which we have of ourselves. When we recognize our strength over our vulnerabilities, our health over our weaknesses, our control over our compliancy, our authenticity over our disguise, and our brilliance over our shadow, we become the evidence of all that is.
And when the tug-of-war of all the petty external stories, opinions, and facts are peeled away, it will reveal one extraordinary world.
Anything that empowers, uplifts, is focused on our strengths, believes completely in our wellness and well-being, and moves through life with great appreciation, harmony, understanding, love, and absolute clarity, is the only ‘truth’ we need to be listening to. They are the only ‘facts’ of relevance. Anything in opposition to this is dishonest and disserving.
Lastly, we are genius beings. Yes, even those without a master’s degree, profession, or specialty. In fact, children are the wisest beings on earth, and many do not even know their A, B, Cs yet. Knowledge comes from our inner being. That thing we call intuition before all the external, disconnected mind-based fear takes over. We need to tune into that a little more and prevent others from doing the thinking for us.
There is light and love in EVERYTHING! We merely need to adjust our focus and the evidence will reveal itself to us EVERYWHERE!