Words, Words, Words.

My new mantra is don’t waste time, don’t waste money and don’t waste words.

Have you noticed that some people simply talk too much.  Recently we had dinner with two other couples both of whom were doctors from England.  The wife was quite lovely.  The husband was a self centered egotist who obviously didn’t recognize that the definition of conversation is an informal INTERCHANGE of thoughts, information etc.    He simply executed a soliloquy.  At one point, I thought he was going to start saying, “Friends, Romans, and Countrymen lend me your ear.  I have come to bury Caesar not to praise him.”

We underestimate the importance of words.  They can heal, they can hurt and they can be simply useless. Words can protect you or attack you.  Words can never be taken back.   Harmless gossip is never harmless.  Oversharing is never helpful.

We’ve all heard the old adage that God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we could listen twice as much as we talk.  Obviously, some people haven’t figured that out.

In the musical “My Fair Lady” there is a song called, “Show Me.”  I have two favorite verses.  First, “Words! Words! I'm so sick of words! I get words all day through;
First from him, now from you! Is that all you blighters can do?”  And next, “Never do I ever want to hear another word. There isn't one I haven't heard.”

Don’t waste words.  Banal chatter is a waste of time.

And let me also add that with all the social networking around, perhaps one should realize that when you are on Facebook or sending emails --those are words - words for all the world to see. 

One of the most humorous incidents took place when one of the gals from UndercoverWear corporate went on Facebook saying she really disliked her “boss” and of courses posted it for everyone to read--including her boss.   Not her most intelligent move.    I have a surprise for everyone. Written words are still words!

Now don’t get me wrong. I actually love words.  I love communicating.  I love being able to share my life with my family and closest friends.   I love offering counsel and direction.  And I really love listening - truly listening.  Not simply waiting to get my next point across.  But I choose my words carefully.  I actually think before I speak.  Now that’s a novel concept.

So think about it. Every so often it’s really ok to stop talking and have a moment, an hour or even a day of silence.   It’s refreshing.  Trust me you can make it up the next day.