When to Speak….

…and when to remain silent.

It takes a great deal of wisdom to know when it is the appropriate time to use either. And with each, there’s a tag of responsibility attached. Especially when making the decision to speak.

I’m not so quick on my feet. I rarely think of the right thing to say until hours, or even days later. I envy those who can speak and make sense at the same time! That unfortunately is not me.

Whether you speak, or remain silent, those in your presence will draw their own conclusions about what you are meaning to say. Or not say. Often silence makes a bigger statement.

Sometimes using restraint takes a whole lot more self control than just spouting off. But it all centers around maturity.

Once something is spoken, the emotion attached to the words (or the emotion felt by the receiver) cannot be taken back. Oh, you can try as you may to soften the blow, but you cannot erase how you made someone feel even if you try with all your being.

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said. I’ve learned that people will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel. ~Maya Angelou, or Carl W. Buehner (This quote, I discovered, is attributed to a few individuals.)

Words backed with anger and conceit can break hearts, tear down what was once built up, crush spirits, cause division, start wars, etc. Carefully thought out words can build up, encourage, unite, mend hearts, and end wars.

Words can weigh a lot. Especially when placed upon a weary heart. Often we don’t even notice the weariness that a person carries.

In today’s unfamiliar and rather taxing world, so many of us have become weary. And for some of us, this may be the first time ever to experience such a roller coaster of emotion. 2020 has relentlessly pushed its nightmare right into 2021 without even so much as a little, tiny break.

So knowing this SHOULD help us to be more compassionate toward others. But sometimes with weariness comes a shorter fuse. People are lit up today. Truth.

So just a reminder to myself first and foremost, and then also to you….take a deep breath. Breathe. Relax your body. Clear your head. Listen to what others are saying. Breathe. Think before speaking. Know when to stop. Know when to sympathize, or compromise, and when to apologize.

Thanks for sharing a late night coffee with me. ☕️

Simply…be grateful. ♥️

Andi

Photos: all mine except for this little guy ^^^