FEATURE ARTICLE

Oliver Mbamara, Esq.,

Oliver@Expressionsofsoul.com New York, USA

Freedom and the imposition of opinions

t was Paul of Tarsus who said, "When I was a child, I thought like a child, but I when became a man, I thought like a man." So it is with opinion. The opinion of an individual will always vary as long one's understanding and perception of life changes. Change is inevitable, and in fact, it is a paradox of life that change is indeed most permanent. It is therefore pertinent for us to be careful about the way we flaunt our opinion at each point in time because someday, we may look back at our once highly held opinion and wonder - 'how in the world did we think it was so vital?'

This is why the Masters always spoke very little, and never imposed their opinions on others. A Sage was once asked the difference between the teacher and the Master, and he answered. "The student is he who says much and does very little, while the Master is he who says very little and does very much." Also, Socrates said, "I know nothing but the fact of my ignorance." It is natural for opinions to change, but most times, it takes humility for us to accept the fact that our erstwhile opinions need improvement, or have become obsolete, flawed or outlived. Yet, the acknowledgment of one's ignorance is the key to wisdom. In the same vein, the plus element law implies that there is always something more to know, and that knowledge, wisdom, growth, or awareness is inexhaustible. Naturally, life must go on, and one must either move forward or be left behind. There is no room for stagnancy.

It therefore becomes imperative for us to appreciate the fact that every other individual has the free will to accept or reject our opinion on any given issue, whether it is politics, sociology, economics, religion, or spirituality. Every individual consciousness is unique and ought to freely proceed in life at a pace suitable to that particular consciousness. To impose an opinion is like asking a child to run while he is still learning to walk. This is only my understanding, and I am still learning.

Oliver Mbamara, Esq., is an Administrative Law Judge with the State of New York.