“Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Teddy Roosevelt

Would you consider yourself an opinionated person? Do you care about people? Have you ever found yourself sharing your well intentioned opinions to those you love, you know, to help them? As a wife, grandma and mom of four grown children I can say, “yes” to all three questions. Many well intentioned opinions are given and sometimes the delivery is received worse than a cold or sore throat that you have inadvertently shared with someone. Opinions are received better if someone actually wants to know what you think about a subject. I have found that sharing an unwanted opinion is like filling a balloon with lead and expecting it to float. More often than not, our loved ones and the people in our circle are actually wanting, no, craving our love, warmth and acceptance far more than our high and mighty opinions. Living by example is far more effective and loving someone so well that they will actually ask for advice from the giver of this unconditional love is a superior path and often a better means to an end. Bob Goff says it this way, “Remember, we are supposed to be love’s heroes, not its bouncers. Sadly, some of us have become so distracted trying to straighten everybody else out that we have swerved off the road.” Sometimes you have to get in the trenches with someone you love for years before your opinion or advice will matter to them. When I say, “get in the trenches” I mean really be there for the people you love. That often times mean loving them when they are most unlovable. You’ll realize while on this journey that the people in your circle are actual human beings. I know this may be a foreign concept for some reading this right now but it’s true. Human beings make mistakes and last time I checked we’re all humans. In my experience it’s getting through those hard times that actually gain you the credibility to be heard. Those times are when we in 2023 are the most tempted to bail but if you can hang in there and love your peeps hard then you’ll gain their respect and typically be given that platform to share with them what you see as valuable truths. It goes along with that saying, “When the student is ready the teacher will appear.” Tao Te Ching. It takes patience to love your circle and sometimes love means keeping your mouth shut and your opinions to yourself. Next time you’re tempted to give someone a piece of your mind, do yourself and them a favor and don’t. Unless they’ve asked you for it of course. Here’s to happy loving! I’ll be right there loving my people intensely right alongside of you.