When you give an opinion on something, is it based on how you felt in the past or on research and experience from the past? If it is from how you felt in the past, most likely the other person won't share any empathy with you and you're not going to change how the other person is feeling. Plus it's lazy thinking and you just went into a past experience that you had and it might not be valid. Yes, there are always going to be exceptions and it might have happened to you, but that could have been a one in a million occurrence. It doesn't show that you have any understanding of the situation.

So seek to understand first by asking clarifying questions and doing some research yourself. It's okay to say you don't know anything about the situation and then start to get some information in your life so you can make a better opinion. When you say stuff, make sure there is substance behind the words to make the world a much better place. 

Journal Prompts

1. How can you show more understanding of a situation by saying “I don’t know”, asking questions, and doing your research?
2. How can you ask questions to ensure others are held accountable for their opinions in an effective manner?