Sorry for the absence…been on vacation…did a lot of reflecting!

Here’s another key point in communication: separate FACT from OPINION

It is a simple fact that people don’t really conflict about facts; but it is a further fact that people go to war over opinions.  The next time you are wrestling with someone (or are overseeing a disagreement), just set the facts on one side of a sheet of paper and the opinions on the other.  Suddenly you’ll know what you are EXACTLY disagreeing (and agreeing) about.

It gets even cooler when you ask this question, “Now, can we find out if this (name one) opinion is true or not?”  If you can’t, then why argue?—you can’t prove it.  If you can prove your opinion, then go do so and make it into a FACT (so everyone will agree).

Frankly, theology and the news is loaded with all this strident and nonsensical brandishing of opinions.  I’ve been the victim of plenty of this and I’m afraid I’ve left a few marks on others as well.  Not now.

Maturity in communication finds out the facts…and…sure doesn’t pass along opinion as fact.  Of course, following these thoughts will kill a lot of the email that flies around.  But so be it.

Grace,

Fred Lybrand