Dr. Seuss said, “Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

According to the Oxford dictionary, an opinion is a view or judgment formed about something that is not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. There can be as many different opinions on this planet as there are people. We make internal judgments about clothes, grooming, physical appearance, behavior, language and life choices; and we do it all the time.

But before you take someone else’s opinion to heart and adopt it as your own, it’s important to discern. Answering the following questions may help you gain clarity:

  1. Do you admire this person? Do they have a healthy self-image? Do you love what they are all about?
  2. Does this person see your authentic self? Do they support your growth as a human being and accept where you are on your journey?
  3. Does this person’s taste resonate with you?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s still in your best interest to move forward carefully and consciously. Choosing the people who you allow to influence you, and whose judgments you take to heart, is never to be taken lightly.

Be on alert if you are an empathetic or a deeply sensitive person. You may be vulnerable to molding yourself to those around you, and what they think and need.

Most importantly, listen to your own voice. Only you can feel and pursue your personal truth while honoring it in those you love as well. It’s what unconditional love is all about.

Choosing to purely listen to opinions can have some value. But aligning with your true calling, even when it means disregarding others’ opinions, will give you the peace and satisfaction of knowing that you followed your divine purpose and inspired others to do the same.