Saying Something Worth A Listen

Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. -Plato

None of us reflect wisdom in every single word we utter, but some are foolish way too often to be worth the energy it takes to pay attention. The real difference between the wise and the foolish is the former has the good sense to shut-up when they find themselves beginning to babble, while the latter simply babbles on... and on... and endlessly on.

Inserting a wise word, sidewards or otherwise is a useless task, akin to trying to stop a waterfall with a sponge. When a mouth is open the ears are shut; listening to themselves prevents them from hearing anyone else anyway. You can waste time, waiting until they take a breath, but I warn you that some can prattle an astonishing amount of time without an inhale of any size. You can try to change the subject. Nine times out of ten even if you succeed in altering the direction of the conversation once they get a second wind it quickly evolves into just another chat for one.

Silence makes some people very nervous. Quiet demands that we pay attention to ourselves... many don't like what they hear there, so they pollute the air with idle chatter without end to drown out the internal voices. Personal panic put to use in the only way that eases their torment. I view it as a form of self-protection so I leave them to it and just use it as background noise, while I spin my own notions.

Some people chatter because they are too silent at home, once they begin it is often difficult to stem the flow. Others are like puppies wagging their tongues instead of the tails they don't possess. Whatever their motivation there is little or no value in trying to alter behavior that brings them comfort. The only control we possess is over our own language and how we present it to our fellowman. Auto pilot just isn't a wise choice for either the mind or the mouth.

Everything I say isn't wise, by any means, but most times I attempt to  make what I utter worth the bother. If I pay attention, and get bored it's a sure bet that whomever I'm talking to will quickly mute me in their mind... so why waste my words??? I can talk to myself without making a sound; the use of a few extra moments to consider if what I plan to say is worthy of voicing has often kept the jester inside of me firmly in check. It's always wiser to stop the fool before he has the chance to begin than it is to wait and be held responsible for cleaning up any mess he leaves behind. God bless, and as always... think about it... let it ride... then you decide!!!