Thoughts on Giving MY Advice

Before Jacob was born, a colleague gave me a piece of advice.  He said, "The best piece of advice I can give you is to ignore everyone else's advice".

I remember back to being a new mom, when everyone thought that by adopting, I had NO CLUE what was heading my way  - and I didn't - but, the last thing I wanted was to be told by everyone else what TO DO.  I wanted to experience for myself.  Sure, I had problems along the way and I asked for help but, I remember most often being TOLD what to do.  I didn't like it.

Now, Jacob is 4, and I still don't like for anyone to tell me what to do.  We will figure out how to get him to #2 on the potty.  We'll figure out how to work through his Sensory Processing Disorder.  We'll figure out his behavior issues.  Again, I still don't like being TOLD what to do.

Yet I'm doing it.  I keep finding myself telling people what to do.  Why am I doing that?  How did I forget how that feels when it's done to me?

Every person has their opinion on everything.  And everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  Freedom of speech enables you to voice that opinion.  Voicing your opinions too often, reverses that quote, "Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one." and makes you the asshole.  I don't want to be an asshole. 

Offering your 2 cents, playing Devil's advocate, call it what you want - it's still forcing your advice or your opinions on someone else.  I have too many opinions and have been giving too much advice and forcing my opinions as of late.  I think recognition is the first step to change.  I see it.  I don't like it.  I'm changing it.

I'm sorry it took me so long to realize.