Don’t Speak When Spoken to

Blessed is the man who has nothing to say

I have always been an outspoken person and this trait has gotten me in trouble more than once.  At one point, I would actually insert my foot into my mouth before getting out of bed just to get it out of the way.  I only learned recently that if I just keep my opinions to myself, I’m shielded from theverbal backfire that taking such a controversial stand entails

it always seemed like my words would come back to haunt me and at the most inopportune times.  But don’t be naive enough to think that keeping quiet will protect you from being the object of soembody else’s scrutiny.

You may be the innocent listener of a spat between, let’s say your wife and her mother and boom! They drop the “Honey, what do you think?” bomb. Be careful because they are actually inviting you into mine-field of future prejudices and uncomfortable family gatherings—especially if the argument pertains to the rearing of your own children.

In this situation you can do one of three things:

1. Plainly say “I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening.” then swiftly take your leave or act like you’re busy with something else.
2. Crack a joke concerning popular television shows that usually deal with such a matter. For example “I seen  something  like this on Doctor Phil, wonder how he would handle it?” Then swiftly take your leave.
3. Brazenly profess you beliefs on the matter with a firm expression. Then swiftly take your leave.

In any event, the one common denominator here is taking your leave before the quarreling gets ugly. At any rate, no matter how passionately you feel about a matter in somebody else’s argument, don’t be quick to offer your two cents unless you want the fight to become you own.

 I believe it was Abe Lincoln who said :

 “Better is it to be thought a fool and remain silent than to speak up and remove all doubt.”

 Ben Franklin said:

 “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a person healthy wealthy and wise.” but I don’t think that applies.