There is Always Time to Pause and Listen
The Pause: Delayed Responses Are Thoughtful Responses
I have never been a quick witted individual. My timing is always off and usually I think of something clever or a rebuttal long after the fact. A flawed trait that I loathed about myself.
Although I still get angry when words escape me, I no longer think of my delayed responses as a weakness.
My own ability to observe and listen has been a lifelong skill acquired mainly because of my introverted nature. I followed a tradition of speak when spoken to until I began to implode. Raising my voice and storming about as a teenager at home was my modus operandi. Plenty of obnoxious vocalization and very little listening was happening in that stage of my life.
Breathing and taking a pause was not on my agenda.
Being Patience with the Pause
In public is where I held my tongue, mainly because I was too scared and insecure to do otherwise. But I have discovered that holding back allowed my observation and listening skills to be honed.
I now know that if exercising my voice does not move the situation needle in a useful direction, I keep my mouth shut. Trial and error has taught me to always read the room. I still screw up on…
