#655

If you didn't hear it with your own ears or see it with your own eyes, don't invent it with your small mind and share it with your big mouth.

This quote is very direct, brief and to the point, good advice. You never really know what is going on in someone else's story. It doesn't matter what it sounds like, it doesn't matter what you think .... it simply doesn't matter. You really have no idea, unless it happened to you.

We can surmise what went on, we can listen to witnesses, we can form an opinion based on what they said, but we still don't know. Witnesses see what they see, hear what they hear and no two of them have the same story. When someone is accused of something you can look at their background, their recent pertinent actions etc. and form your opinion, but that is what it is .... your opinion. 

We need to remember that no matter how justified we feel in our belief, that does not necessarily make it true.

Everyone sees something from their own perspective - (particular attitude toward or way of reading something; a point of view) Just as no two people are alike, neither are their points of view, similar maybe, but not the same. We all see things differently.

"We don't see things as they are, we see them as WE are." Anais Nin

With that being said, don't invent a story around whatever you see or believe you have seen. Accept that you really don't know. You may have an opinion on what took place, but you do not know for sure. So hold your tongue and let the situation unfold as it should. If someone of importance to you is involved, be supportive, that is all you can do. Keep your opinions to yourself, it'll make your life much easier.

reprint of #396