As I approach 50, a number of thoughts cross my mind more often than others. Here’s one of them:

On Opinions

I know some really highly opinionated people (I could be one of them). When they believe in something, they think everyone else should think the same.

I guess as we get older, we begin to firm up our opinions: on people, situations, money, work, love – everything.

When things end up fulfilling our prophecies and the same outcome repeat themselves so many times: then they must be true.

Our opinions become stronger, then become beliefs. We carry these beliefs around, and sometimes go knocking other people with them.

Here are samples of some of the beliefs I’ve accumulated over the years:

Never argue with an opinionated person. It’s a waste of time.

If you are angry because you are right, keep it to yourself.

Go on, be tough on yourself. Continue having the so-called high standards. But be kind to others.

If you don’t like changes, don’t be a graphic designer.

Stop giving unsolicited advice.

The first cut/edit/design is from the heart, but once clients changed too many things, it became work. Just get it done professionally. Save your art for self projects.

Disciplined people are never victims of mood.

If you don’t plan your day, someone else will.

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I hope to not be a friend of strong opinions (especially regarding things I think I know about), but a friend who listens to understand.

Many times, I’ve found myself asking Allah to change my ways of thinking, my beliefs, my opinions; and replace them with fresh insights.

May Allah guide and change us to be better in character, to have a deeper understanding of whatever things that are of benefit to us and others, and for us to become better human beings who treat others with respect and emphaty.

A man sometimes changes his mind, but an idiot never does.