Listen Before You Speak

Goooooood morning folks!
How are you this morning? I hope you went to bed early, slept well, and started your day off well...

Today we are in chapter 18, and my bold print is verse 13 in the NLTse:

13 (NLTse) Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.

This verse relates to yesterday's post regarding using our words with wisdom and understanding - we talked about listening more. Well, verse 13 picks up from yesterday and instructs us to listen before we speak.

Have you ever misjudged a situation? (I have) There are many reasons for misjudging something, but it has most often happened to me because I assumed ("assumption is the lowest form of knowledge") I knew what someone was going to say or what they were going to do. I did not have all the facts and as a result made a wrong decision. "Spouting off at the mouth" usually followed - which was based on my assumptions...then what happens? As in yesterday's post, someone's feelings got hurt, something dumb was said making ME look dumber; and all the people standing there just shook their heads!!

"YOU CANNOT make the right decision WITHOUT all the information". This is a great quote from one of my mentors, AR Bernard. When I follow it, it has helped me avoid making bad decisions or "spouting off at the mouth". Speaking before you know all the facts is "both shameful & foolish"!!

Listen carefully before you speak!! Can't say it any plainer than that, folks!!!

Make wise decisions and listen today!!