Always or Never

I have a difficult time saying anything is true. I often add minor disclaimers to what most people consider facts as a result:

• I believe that... (I accept a thing to be true and understand others may not)

• I think that… (this is my current belief, but it may change by the end of the sentence)

• I feel like… (I’m being gentle by insinuating that if we disagree my claim may not be rational)

• To my understanding… (I have evidence to support a belief, but I’m open to being wrong)

• I read somewhere that… (somebody that writes and accepts judgement believes this thing to be true publicly)

• I heard somebody say… (I didn’t verify this thing at all, but I felt it was relevant in conversation)

• I’m confident that… (it’s important to me that you believe this too, and I’ll put my credibility on the line for it)

Generally, I’m under the impression (see) that claiming anything always or never immediately negates the validity of the statement. I felt that way before learning about the ten forms of distorted thinking – common thought patterns that induce anxiety in the thinker.