Opinions shape how we navigate the world. They influence our choices, our relationships, and the way we see ourselves. But where do opinions come from? Are they innate, or are they constructed over time? The truth is, our opinions are constantly evolving, shaped by a dynamic interaction between our lived experiences, our community, and our Traditions—three essential elements that function like the wheels of a tricycle.
Before diving into these three elements, it’s important to introduce the concept of a worldview—the framework through which we interpret reality. Your worldview is a lens, an internal compass that guides how you perceive and engage with the world. It is not static; it develops and shifts based on your exposure to new experiences, ideas, and relationships.
Now, let’s break down the three key elements—your lived experience, your community, and your Traditions—and how they contribute to your developing worldview and, ultimately, your opinions.
1. The Front Wheel: Lived Experience
The front wheel of the tricycle—the one that steers—is your lived experience. This is your personal journey through life: the things you’ve seen, the challenges you’ve faced, the lessons you’ve learned, and the places you’ve been. Your lived experience is uniquely yours, and it plays a critical role in shaping how you view the world.
How Lived Experience Shapes Your Worldview
- The country, culture, and family you are born into significantly impact your foundational beliefs.
- Personal hardships, victories, and struggles refine how you see justice, fairness, and human nature.
- The work you do, the places you visit, and the relationships you build all contribute to your perception of reality.
- Major life transitions—such as becoming a parent, losing a loved one, changing careers—can challenge and reshape your opinions.
Developing Your Lived Experience
- Travel, if possible. Seeing different parts of the world (or even your own city) exposes you to new perspectives.
- Read widely—memoirs, history, and fiction from different cultures can help expand your understanding.
- Engage in self-reflection. Journaling, meditation, or simply taking time to process your experiences can help clarify your evolving worldview.
- Be open to change. Recognize that what you believe today may evolve as new experiences shape your perspective.
Your lived experience is a powerful guide, but it doesn’t function in isolation. Without the stabilizing force of the other two wheels—community and Tradition—your worldview risks becoming narrow or one-dimensional.
2. The Left Wheel: Community
The left wheel represents community—the people you surround yourself with. These are the voices you listen to, the relationships you invest in, and the groups you identify with. Your community can be made up of your family, friends, religious group, professional circle, online networks, or social clubs.
How Community Shapes Your Worldview
- Your cultural background, language, and upbringing are largely shaped by the people around you.
- The groups you belong to (e.g., church, book clubs, sports teams, activism groups) influence what you prioritize and value.
- The voices you listen to—mentors, podcasts, social media figures—can reinforce or challenge your existing beliefs.
- If you are religious, you may believe that your community includes spiritual voices—God, the Holy Spirit, nature, or an inner guiding presence.
Expanding Your Community’s Influence
- Seek diverse perspectives. Engage with people who have different backgrounds, beliefs, and life experiences.
- Be intentional about who influences you. Are you in an echo chamber, or do you allow for challenges to your thinking?
- Reflect on how your environment has shaped you. If you had been born somewhere else or surrounded by different influences, how different might your opinions be?
Community provides stability and accountability. However, without the final wheel—Traditions—you might lose sight of the broader wisdom that transcends individual relationships.
3. The Right Wheel: Traditions (Capital T)
The right wheel represents Traditions—the accumulated wisdom of the past. Traditions provide a foundation for understanding the world beyond just your personal experience or current community. They connect you to something larger than yourself—whether religious teachings, philosophical movements, or cultural heritage.
How Traditions Shape Your Worldview
- Religious traditions (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, etc.) provide centuries of collective wisdom on morality, meaning, and purpose.
- Philosophical and literary traditions shape how societies have historically grappled with big questions.
- Cultural and family traditions instill a sense of identity, responsibility, and belonging.
Engaging With Tradition
- Read the foundational texts of different traditions—scriptures, classical literature, and historical works.
- Learn about the historical context of your own beliefs—why do you think the way you do?
- Be open to challenging traditions while still respecting their wisdom.
- Recognize that your tradition is one among many—other cultures and civilizations have rich histories worth exploring.
Traditions provide depth to your worldview. However, they must work alongside lived experience and community to create a well-rounded opinion.
Putting It All Together: The Developing Worldview
Your worldview emerges at the intersection of these three wheels. Like a tricycle, you need all three working togetherfor a balanced and forward-moving perspective.
It’s important to emphasize developing—your worldview isn’t static. It grows, evolves, and shifts based on new experiences, different communities, and deeper engagement with tradition.
Why This Matters for Developing an Opinion
- Your opinion is not the truth. It may contain truths, but it is still just one perspective among many.
- Recognizing biases helps you engage in better conversations and avoid dogmatism.
- Humility allows you to hold strong convictions while still being open to growth.
- Understanding different perspectives fosters empathy and deeper dialogue.
A Final Thought on Perspective
Where you are born, who you are surrounded by, and what traditions you engage with deeply influence the way you see the world. If you had been born in China, India, or Brazil, your worldview would likely be entirely different. If you had grown up in a different faith tradition or in a different socioeconomic environment, your opinions would reflect that.
The key takeaway? Hold your opinions with conviction, but also with openness. Be aware that they are shaped by a complex and ever-evolving interplay of experience, community, and tradition. And as you continue pedaling through life, be open to the ways your tricycle may lead you into new and unexpected terrain.
