by a Guest Contributor
One of the gruelling aspects of my work is fact-checking. The more sensitive the issues being reported, the more I have to be careful about how I define the details that are facts and others that are mere opinions.
It took me a long time before I learnt to apply the same rigour in my personal life. I wished I learnt earlier to subject the things said about me by those I respect as their opinions and not facts.
When my son makes me angry, it is better to remind myself that he is not a ‘bad boy’, rather, to remind myself of the facts – he is human, and he is worthy of love.
When my boss says something unkind, I will remind myself to distinguish between opinions and facts. If you follow your opinions too closely, you’ll find how many times you’ll be wrong about several things.
Note the facts. Don’t trade them for opinions.
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