Freedom

 “Don't exercise your freedom of speech until you have exercised your freedom of thought.” (Tim Fargo)

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides you with the freedom to speak your opinion: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

I also believe the other side of this right is also true (though I am unsure how the two sides can work together).  If you do not wish to hear my opinion (in writing or verbally), you have the right for me not to speak it to you.  (Married couples can often be experts at giving unsolicited advice to each other that is neither wanted nor appreciated once it is received by the other spouse. Spouses tend to know which emotional buttons to push for maximum irritation and anger.)

In a perfect world, we would ask each other’s permission before giving advice. Rarely does that happen in a family. The age-wise when this practice should be started would be in the mid to late teens of a person’s life throughout adulthood. Giving unwanted advice can be a gamble at all times.  It can either be appreciated and used, or resented as it makes a situation worst. Always think carefully before you say anything. (Talking to yourself where a person can hear you mumble the guidance you intended for them is the same as giving unsolicited advice.)

Harvey Mackay had this to say about unsolicited advice: “There is a time to provide advice and offer an opinion, and there is a time not to. Don't be too quick to offer unsolicited advice. It certainly will not endear you to people.” Are your opinions (your freedom of speech) welcomed to those who are receiving them, or would you be wiser to edit, and save them for someone who wants to receive them. “Unsolicited advice is the junk mail of life” said Bernard Williams. Do you agree?