No Opinion

Lose the attitude

Opinions…we all have them. And there’s nothing wrong with them. But opinions become a problem when they become “dogma” — a principle of how thing should be.

We have the power to hold no opinion about a thing and to not let it upset our state of mind, for things have no natural power to shape our judgments.

— Marcus Aurelius

Stoicism challenges us to learn to embrace no opinion, which removes the power from our circumstances. This doesn’t mean we throw out standards, but rather we remain open to ideas and understanding rather than quick judgments.

We can have standards and still remain open-minded.

You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. — Marcus Aurelius

Ultimately we only have power over our thoughts. If we can suspend our snap judgments we open up ourselves to education and learning.