How much of what you say is necessary? Have you ever considered how much could be left unsaid and how much more peace you’d have?
I’ve been sick for the past few days and it’s driving me nuts. I never get sick, but when I do, it’s rough. This illness has mainly given me a sore/scratchy throat, making it difficult to speak. Of course a main portion of my job is speaking, so this has me considering how to limit my words to what’s necessary.
This idea came to me when a customer said something off putting. I was about to walk back to the kitchen and vent like I usually would, but thought twice. I really had no desire to try using my voice more than necessary and this didn’t feel like it needed to be said. So it got me thinking about all the shit we say every day and how much of it is just filler.
A lot of the time, we just talk to talk. Silence can be awful, so we do our best to fill it. We love complaining to other people, telling our stories, and sharing our opinions, but how much of it really needs to be said?
There’s a Stoic quote that says “Never catch yourself complaining, not even to yourself.” I feel that fits with my realization today. It’s good to have meaningful conversations with others – that’s how you make connections and meet new friends. It’s not good to fill your time with unnecessary banter just to fill the void of silence.
So before you say that shit, ask yourself if the world would be worse off if it was left unsaid. If not, maybe you can save your breath and just enjoy the silence for a moment.
November 13, 2024
