I’m starting the week off with an unpopular (some might say controversial) opinion I love Mondays.
Before I go any further, I just want to clarify that this is not a test. You’re free to disagree with me. Okay, with that in mind, you’re free to proceed.
I’ve found that one of the quickest ways to see where I stand with someone is to share an unpopular opinion. For example, sharing my affinity for Mondays has been greeted with everything from “that’s nice” to name-calling.
This is less of a judgment of those responses and more of an observation. It’s human to be skeptical of what doesn’t align with our own version of reality. Also, Mondays are not for everyone.
I’ve found that one of the quickest ways to see where I stand with myself is to see how I respond to an opinion I don’t share. Ideally, I strive to land somewhere between the brush-off and the brash with a “but why?” response.
The thing about asking “why” is it opens the conversation up instead of shutting it down. No matter the response, you get to learn. Yes, sometimes you’ll learn that no thought has been given to this opinion, but that’s still a lesson learned. More often than not, if you actually listen, you’ll learn about someone else’s perspective.
For example, and continuing with my love of Mondays…
If you were to ask me why I love this underappreciated day of the week, I would say it’s because of the potential that a new week brings. It’s the same reason I love rainy days. They may seem grey and mundane on the surface, but they contain infinite potential. It’s a sentiment you may or may not agree with, but my truth all the same.
We live in a world where opinions are treated as facts and facts are often considered irrelevant. Taking the time to ask “why” is a revolutionary act against that mindset. Imagine where we would be if that was everyone’s response to someone they didn’t agree with or understand.
Be Kind. Be Brave. Stay Awkward.
Onward & Awkward 
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