Opinions & Wine

I once attended a presentation on vinegar and wine given by a wonderful man named Kurt Ammann who has a vineyard in S. Africa. I really enjoyed his talk and trying the different types of vinegar that they make on his property. He made a comment about wine that was a "hmmmm" moment for me. He said, "The same wine tastes different to each person." As I let that sink in, it got me thinking about how in life, no two people see it, experience it or live it the same way. Each experience we have collectively "tastes" different to every person involved. Some savor the experience, others dump the wine out of the glass in disgust, while others chug it down and go looking for more.  What one may find as sweet, another can find too sour. 

This little anecdote is important because we sometimes need to be reminded that not everyone sees things the way we do. Back in the day when I used to drink, I very much enjoyed sparkling white wine. I'd been told that it's not "real wine" or that red wine was way better (I never tried a red I actually liked).  Who cares? I'm the one drinking it and enjoying it, thank you very much. Why do people feel the need to impose their own experience onto mine? More importantly, why would I let them?

Besides understanding that we all experience the same things differently, it's important to remember that the only time other people's opinions dictate our own experience is when we let them. We all have our opinions - some are just way more vocal and pushy when offering theirs. Your experience is yours, their experience is theirs. How much their opinion changes your experience is up to you. If you let them, some can ruin your experience or, on the flip side, they can direct you towards a new way to experience that you hadn't tried before. At the beginning, middle and end of the day - it's your life. By becoming more cognizant of how others impact your experience, along with the understanding that we all experience life through different eyes, the more conscious and aware you'll be - which will bring about a whole new experience unto itself. Wine anyone?

Cheers! - Love, Adrienne