Saying something: Part Four - Gossip not

I've listened to a lot of people in my life and have benefitted from hearing and understanding many of them. Listening is an excellent skill, one learns more listening than talking. I had an idea to do a little series of posts about things I've heard people say and which I've taken away, thought over and applied to my life. I'll keep these posts quite short but hope someone reads something they can fit into their own life. Here goes.

Avoid gossip and over-talking

Everyone has an opinion and that's how it's supposed to be. Everyone has a voice too but with the rise of the internet and social media it seems people have forgotten how to remain silent, keep private things to themselves and that their opinion doesn't have to be pushed in other people's faces, might be totally wrong or inappropriate or simply irrelevant.

We've all heard of the keyboard warriors of the world who create drama and strife, those who overshare on social media and others who can't help but talk too much pushing agendas, ideologies and opinions when what they should be doing is shutting the hell up.

I'm not sure why people do it but I presume it has something to do with the need for validation and a bid for relevance or sense of meaning, and so they gossip, slander and stir up trouble in the hope they get the attention they need due probably to their lack of self-esteem or worth. There's a lot to be said for staying quiet when all about us are talking and it's certainly advantageous to make sure that if one is going to speak the words have greater meaning than silence.

Learning how to stay quiet is a valuable skill that people should learn; life will be less complex, less stressful and less drama-filled...and more valid.