Skeptic

     We all need to be skeptics at times, to question what seems to be true.  Otherwise, we would be too gullible to judge when someone was lying, stretching the truth, or stating their opinions as facts.  We would be vulnerable to scams, false advertising, and people who have their own agendas.  We could fall prey to promises too good to be true.  Being skeptical protects us and builds confidence in our own judgment.
     Being skeptical can be uncomfortable when we begin to reflect on the big questions of life.  As we analyze our life-long opinions and beliefs, we may begin to pull away from the comfort of what our families have taught us.  We also may have to face the fact that many questions have no answers.  Sometimes our brains may just get tired and stressed at being skeptical and want to decide what is true and never have to question again.  We  can then live in peace with like-minded individuals who reinforce our beliefs.  Our beliefs and opinions then become our facts.
     Most of us are taught to distinguish between fact and opinion, to consider our sources of information, and to evaluate what others say and think.  A skeptic keeps a questioning attitude as part of the process for discovering truth.