For those interested, I wrote a column on volunteering, that appeared in Wednesday’s Halifax Herald, on the Opinion Page. Here is the link: https://www.saltwire.com/halifax/opinion/perspective-volunteering-can-be-thankless-but-people-still-do-their-best-to-help-100955161/
For these 8 ½ years you have come to know me as an opinionated person. There can be do doubt of this. But if you listen carefully, you will hear two words spoken before an opinion is offered, “I think”. Some say, “I feel”, others, like me, say “I think”. God gifted us in different ways. I am analytical in my approach. “I think”….What comes next is an opinion, one I have invested a lot of time on, based on reading, listening, and experience. But it is not certainty. I don’t need to be right, but I do want to express my opinion as well as possible. And likewise, I hope others express themselves as well as possible. Telling me what to believe, because you know so, is not convincing or compelling. What I try to do, is to understand the other side of the argument. That is why I deliberately read articles and columns I disagree with. Why I engage people who think differently than me (in a calm fashion). I want to know what others think.
There are some opinions I have held for most of my adult life (a strong advocacy for gay and lesbian rights, advocacy for the poor, advocacy on mental health concerns, a supporter of women’s rights). And there are other issues where my views have changed/evolved; abortion, doctor assisted death, economic policy. My views changed NOT because someone shouted me down, spoke with certainty, or told me to read their views in a book or article, but because I listened to a calm opinion, opposite of mine, I found compelling. As a Christian, I would say, when I felt the opinion could be connected to the witness of Jesus, I needed to listen.
You have heard me speak of my mentor Nathan Mair (from PEI), United Church Minister, Methodist scholar, pastoral care expert. I was not close to Nathan. But more than anyone else, he could, he did, change my mind. I sought him out, shared my views, listened to his. I had a lot to consider after our visits. Opinions are useful. But most important, is listening.
PS. Speaking of opinions, only 80 more of my blogs for you to endure.