Back in the day, when my boots were still new and my pride shiny as a penny, I had myself a habit. Didn’t matter what the topic was—politics, cattle prices, or how to fix a squeaky barn door—I had somethin’ to say about it. And by ‘somethin’,’ I mean a whole lotta nothin’. Truth be told, I didn’t have a clue half the time, but I’d puff up my chest and rattle on like a rooster who thinks he’s smarter than the sunrise.
Why’d I do it? Well, I guess I thought if I sounded smart enough, folks’d think more of me. Maybe I’d impress the big shots, make a name for myself. But lookin’ back now, with some wisdom you can’t buy at the feed store, I reckon all that big talk cost me some chances to learn, to grow, to connect with folks who actually knew what they were talkin’ about. I was too busy hearin’ myself to listen to anyone else.
These days, I walk a different trail. Learned myself a new sayin’: “If there’s nothin’ to be said, why be the one to say it?” It’s simple, but Lord, it’s true. Now I sit back, keep my ears open, and soak in the wisdom others bring to the fire. Seems like every time I hush up, I learn a thing or two I didn’t know I needed to know.
Guess that’s life, though—start out thinkin’ you’re the smartest fella in the barn, only to find out the barn cat knows more about mice than you’ll ever know. But I figure as long as you’re still learnin’, you ain’t doin’ too bad.
So here’s to quiet moments, open ears, and learnin’ from the folks who’ve walked the path before you. And maybe, just maybe, sayin’ a bit less and meanin’ a whole lot more.
Have a Good Week, Ya'll!
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