15 Comments
User's avatar
Jerry Mackel's avatar

When you see the person your talking to eyes glaze over you know it’s time to stop talking… no matter how much more you know

Ann Delaney's avatar

That would have been my children for sure. Now I watch for the glaze over

Mark Rothschild's avatar

Always a good clue!

Yael's avatar

That’s what life will teach you and music too (silence). You are an incredible person, philosopher type searching for truth and love. Incredible people make great rabbis. And another thing, you ARE getting thru to your congregation. I would know. Thank you and Shabbat shalom.

Charlotte W's avatar

Hahah ! This is a skill that many don’t master. It’s so hard :) especially if you feel you need to “justify “ yourself by just being in a room. Which many people feel …

The old imposter syndrome ,mixed with not feeling like enough !

Mark Rothschild's avatar

Agreed, Char. The one good part about imposter syndrome is realizing all of us have it.

Peggy Mines's avatar

I’m learning when to keep my mouth shut! And sometimes it’s hard!!

Jules's avatar

I’ve been called a chatty Kathy, but mostly when I’m on a roll, I think it’s a stream of consciousness. The after party for this looks like a dissertation: Did I say too much? Too little? Did they understand my point? They definitely didn’t understand me. I read somewhere on Instagram that when someone replies, “That’s crazy,” it’s code word they don’t want to hear another thing. Your lips are moving but all they hear is not dissimilar to the whirring of a weed whacker. If only everyone had narcolepsy.

Laura Degrandis's avatar

Excellent advice. I wish I could have some do-overs!

Lisa Stein's avatar

So much wisdom in this piece

Elaine C's avatar

These stories are sweet, Mark. Definitely YOU. 😊

Lisa Stein's avatar

Aach I wasn’t done typing. For sure people can talk way too much but as someone with the opposite problem not saying anything is a great way to feel invisible. Here’s to a happy medium.

Mark Rothschild's avatar

So agree, Lisa

Marylou Webster Ambrose's avatar

Mark Twain said, "It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt." Not that this is true for you, but there are sure times in my life when I should've followed this advice!

Mark Rothschild's avatar

Marylou, it is so true for me as well. At least we're both aware of it.