Onions and Opinions

Guest post by Cathy Alford

“Did you know the words opinion and onion differ by only 2 letters?” It startled me when this thought whizzed through my brain one day while driving. “Where in the world did that come from?” I wondered, although I knew the source. Obscure thoughts that force my head and heart to collide make me ever so aware a God-moment is happening.

One would expect me to snap to attention, but sadly I often just plow ahead with my agenda. This day was different. My mind felt dazed as if in slow motion, as I pondered how these two words related.

Isn’t it interesting to watch how people respond to inspiration? We pay to hear motivational speakers, search out resources that encourage us to be our best and live in our purpose, and often attach ourselves to anyone who pours into the empty hole inside us and who affirms us.

I thought about inspiration in terms of what many of us speak on a regular basis, and realized our words are often “opinions” rather than inspiration or encouragement. Like the strong and biting odor of a raw onion, an opinion can sting with a lasting effect that is less than inspirational. Yet, with a little seasoning and effort to prepare an onion, it is a delicious treat!

Seasoning our thoughts, before they are served as strong opinions, may be the inspiration that someone in your life needs today. We may never know when or how we inspire, but we can be a catalyst in some way to encourage others.

The next time I smell an onion, I will be quick to make sure it’s not my opinion biting the air.

Cathy Alford, M.A., A.C.C. is Director of LifeWorks Resource Group, and does individual and group life coaching. You can contact her at [email protected]. Throughout Cathy’s life, she has experienced many of the same challenges you may face in today’s world balancing a family and career. Each challenge has presented opportunities to lead people and be lead, to coach and be coached, to train and to be trained. These collective growth experiences helped shape her – both personally and professionally.

Cathy looks for the right client at the right time, so that together you can move toward the right message God is trying to speak into your life. She is also passionate about working with ministerial staff or other teams to discover the power of the uniqueness of each person and how that contributes to team dynamics. You can find out more at www.lifeworksresourcegroup.com.