Like most people I can be accused of many things, but I cannot ever be accused of refusing to wear my heart on sleeve.

I am pretty sure this has lost my clients in the past and I know it has pissed people off, but I honestly can’t be any other way.

I feel suffocated keeping strong opinions to myself although I thoroughly understand why some people prefer to.

We’re all different.

But I think one of the differences between myself and some others (hopefully and presumably not you as I doubt you would be reading my blog otherwise), is I realize when I am offering an opinion and when I am stating a fact.

And this is crucial to our well-being and being able to let go of shit that needs letting go of.

Thinking you know how the world is based on your belief system is a recipe for disaster. You don’t.

There are seven billion different realities each as relevant as the other.

The Reality Of Reality

There is no how it is, just how it is for you.

I got really pissed off this week clinging on to my world view and you can probably guess who or what caused it, if only indirectly.

Yep, it was The Donald.

I was reading an article on USA Today. It was an op-ed piece written by James S. Robbins who proposed the theory that Trump looked very Presidential in the debate with Clinton.

Ok, that’s an opinion I don’t agree with, I thought he looked like a stammering, sniffling, incoherent fool, but hey, as I just said, we all have our own reality.

It wasn’t that that pissed me off. if it had been I’d just have stopped reading.

But I’m curious to hear others people’s opinions, so I read to the end.

It was the last line that had my shaking my head in disbelief.

“And despite Clinton’s numerous mocking remarks to the contrary, he came off as presidential. And that’s a fact.”

Er…no James, it’s not a fact, it’s your opinion.

You’re a journalist and author for fucks sake, don’t you know the difference?

The Difference Between A Fact And A Belief

If you fall out of a ten-story window because you were trying to shake hands with a pigeon gravity will pull you down, is a fact.

If you fall out of a ten-story window because you were trying to shake hands with a pigeon which makes you a fucking idiot with a pigeon fetish, is an opinion.

Donald Trump is a man called Donald Trump, is a fact.

Donald Trump has a ridiculous haircut, is sadly just an opinion, albeit one I happen to share most people the world over not carrying a white cane.

This isn’t just a rant by me, although it maybe one of those too, this is important stuff.

I can get wound up like most people, maybe more so, but I can also take time out to meditate and actually send Donald Trump metta or lovingkindness.

And no, I’m not joking, I have done that several times.

I have been picturing a happy Donald and saying to myself, ‘may you be well, may you be happy, may you find peace’.

It’s far from easy, in fact it’s really hard at times. And he’s never sent any back the miserable bastard, but he’s busy and I remain hopeful and it calms me down.

There’s Never Been An Election Like This (opinion)

This is the most emotionally charged and polarizing election I think any of us have ever witnessed either here or in any first world country for that matter.

Trump has done a masterful job of turning the political landscape upside, either intentionally or unintentionally.

Friendships will be tested and I have no doubt if the last election is anything to go by which was less volatile, some will be broken.

I get that you may not want to associate with people who have some diametrically opposed core values to you, but values are only opinions dressed up for a fancy night out.

it’s ok to do that, just know and accept why you are doing it and don’t delude yourself into thinking differently.

The guy who does my lawn care is probably one of the nicest most easy-going people I know, and guess what?

He’s a Trump supporter!

I’d be very disappointed to have to find somebody else because of mere opinions no matter how vehement they are.