It has always been a challenge for me to know when to say something, and how to say something. This is especially true when I am confronted with someone grieving or facing a huge decision or major hurdle in their life.  When I write it is a different story, usually I take the time to think before pen hits paper, or fingers tap the keyboard. Otherwise, I am apt to give unsolicited advice. Listening has always been a friend of mine. It has kept me out of trouble, when my words would have escalated any given situation. I believe the old saying ,”the best conversationalists are great listeners and ask questions,” they make a conscious effort to focus on what people say. A great conversationalist speaks clearly and with enthusiasm. If a subject is of interest to me enthusiasm comes naturally,  but unfortunately so does fast talking. It is my foe. I am working on slowing down, articulating what I am trying to say rather than rush through my words, as if they were about to disappear like smoke.  During NaNoWriMo an annual novel writing month, I attempted to write 50,000 words in thirty days. Every day I would plug in my word count, the idea is to write and write without revising, to accomplish the goal. It was an challenging endeavor yet left me inspired. I watched my word count go up a little every day. But as life would have it, the hurdles came, sickness for two weeks, increased stress. At the end of the month I had accomplished only a fraction of what I had set out to do.  I think back to what my husband said when I shared my disappointment with him, he told me it’s not the word count but making the words count. I think there is a lot of truth in that, not only in writing but in everyday speech. It is too easy today to blurt out whatever comes to mind in social media, instead of thinking about the word choice , will it be received as friend or foe. As for me, I hope I will choose wisely the next word I type or say.