Some of my best memories from college were the nights I would stay up, finishing projects due next morning. I remember the music playing on the FM radio and the smell of the coffee that I would drink to stay awake during the countless hours. The best were the technical drawings that we would prepare on size A-zero paper, since Computer Aided Design was not that popular at that time.
Sounds nerdy, but seriously it brings me fond memories.
But another vivid memory I have is from one class in college when we were working on our designs in this large classroom filled with drafting tables.
After some initial explanations from the professor, we were all working on our projects.
I was there multi-tasking: working and talking to my friends around me, when the professor came behind my drafting board. He was a short man and all I could see was the upper half of his head, but I still remember his eyes when he said to me: “Young man, you talk too much!”
That caught me by surprise, but it did not prevent me from replying with, what I thought was a smart comment: “You are right, my mother always tells me that”.
His reply was the best: “You need to remember that I don’t love you as much as your mom!”
That was a good answer that, in a rare moment, left me speechless.
The truth is: I am not a young man anymore, and I still talk too much.
Now, it is not my mom, but my wife who reminds me of that, once in a while (good thing she loves me as much as my mom, and way more than that professor).
I feel really guilty when I read the Bible verse in James 1:19 that says: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (at least I am quick to listen and slow to become angry, so I get like a “C” on this – 2 out of 3).
I need help! Please offer some suggestions (“just shut up!” does not count as a suggestion).
Thank you.
Practice the pause as I call it.. and speak truth.. this helps me so I pause and think and then speak.. hope this helps.. I think when you speak you always speak truth and are always wise!!!
I believe the context in which you are quick to speak is usually appropriate, either for instruction, or for humor.
I think the situation for being slow to speak is when a heart issue is being shared. So many times we want to fix the problem but don’t recognise the pain the person is feeling. I am very guilty of this. ” If you would do such and such it may help” as if that person had not already thought of that. Even if they hadn’t, that’s not what they need.
I am doing it less now maybe because I realize how dumb I am. It may be harder for smart people.
If you have not already seen it, look up ” it’s not about the nail” video. It’s funny, and I think typical of guys.
As always, I enjoy your posts. Thanks