Something Else She Was Right About
"She" being my mother. Of course.
What she was right about: talking about something only to vent, without aiming at a solution, isn't particularly helpful.
Yes, sometimes people "think aloud," and sometimes people just need to express frustration.
But not every issue requires--or benefits from--my input. The world doesn't need another horrified person expressing anger or horror or sadness.
Besides, if too many people are talking, who's left to listen?
I don't mean to imply I'm not writing (revising/editing/dreaming)--I am. I'm doing my own work, even when I'm not sure of its originality or cosmic value. I'm doing the work that is mine to do.
And in the rest of the time, I try to keep my mouth shut and listen--for new voices, new ideas, new resolve.
What she was right about: talking about something only to vent, without aiming at a solution, isn't particularly helpful.
Yes, sometimes people "think aloud," and sometimes people just need to express frustration.
But not every issue requires--or benefits from--my input. The world doesn't need another horrified person expressing anger or horror or sadness.
Besides, if too many people are talking, who's left to listen?
I don't mean to imply I'm not writing (revising/editing/dreaming)--I am. I'm doing my own work, even when I'm not sure of its originality or cosmic value. I'm doing the work that is mine to do.
And in the rest of the time, I try to keep my mouth shut and listen--for new voices, new ideas, new resolve.