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Sometimes the best response is silence
by MARK WEBB
Mark Webb is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice at Oakwood Counseling Center in Valdosta . He is the author of “ How To Be A Great Partner ” and “ How To Argueproof Your Relationship .” Read more of his articles at www . TheRelationshipSpecialist . com .
“ Most of us know how to say nothing ; few of us know when .” ~ Anonymous
Have you ever said something and later wished you could take it back ? Have you ever been in a situation and you didn ’ t know what to say but said something anyway and it didn ’ t help or made things worse ? Here are 16 different scenarios where staying silent is the wisest course of action :
1When you are angry .
When conversations are heated , your brain goes into fight or flight mode . You are more likely to say things you don ’ t really mean or make decisions that you ’ ll later regret . By choosing to remain silent , you provide yourself the space to observe your feelings without getting swept away by them . So next time you find yourself in a heated situation , take a deep breath and choose silence over words . It ’ s not
about suppressing your feelings but about creating a pause to respond in a more thoughtful and respectful manner .
2When your words may be harmful to the other person . Words have the power . If you find yourself in a situation where your words may cause pain or harm to another person , it is wise to hold your tongue . While it may feel satisfying in the moment , the aftermath is often filled with regret .
“ Speech is silver , silence is golden .” ~ Thomas Carlyle
3When someone is talking about their problems . Not everyone wants their problems solved . So , don ’ t feel like you have to figure out a solution to their problem . If you are unsure if they are seeking your advice , then ask them at the beginning of the conversation . By simply asking , you could save both of you a lot of frustration .
“ We have two ears and one mouth , therefore we should listen twice as much as we speak .” ~ Zeno
4hen your words won ’ t change the situation . You don ’ t need to speak as a means of filling the gap of silence . You don ’ t have to always fix things or try to make someone feel better . Sometimes , just being there is enough .
5When you don ’ t know the full story . If you are not fully informed about a subject , it is best to stay silent . Be slow to jump into a conversation when you don ’ t have all of the facts or when your thoughts are simply only your opinion .
“ When you have nothing to say , say nothing .” ~ Charles Caleb Colton
28 Valdosta Scene | May 2024