I’m a southern girl, from two large families where people have a lot to say, all in loud voices and if you want to get a word in edgewise sometimes you kinda have to interrupt each other. Yet, for the most part no one gets upset, because we all do it. I never really thought about being an interrupter, it’s just always been a way of life.
After being out of the south for almost a decade, I’ve seen many differences in the way of life here in Maine. One difference is that being talkative and “talking over each other” is often seen as rude and unacceptable.
Trying to learn to change this part of my personality has not been easy, it takes a lot of attention, biting your tongue when you are really excited to say something and remembering that listening is an important part of any relationship.
In my times of reflection I’ve come to realize that when I interrupt it can come across that what someone else has to say is not important to me and that my thoughts are the only ones that matter. This is not how I feel, but it is how I believe it often comes across.
Being seen as an interrupter is a great way to miss out on friendships. It is also harmful to a marriage, where it is essential to have both spouses be able to discuss their sides and points of view. In parenting as children get older it’s important for them to be able to talk to Mom and Dad, but if we’re prone to interrupt them then they’ll learn to just keep things to themselves.
If you’re unsure if you’re an interrupter, take time in your next conversation to really pay attention to the other person and how many times you feel the need to jump in, but make sure you stop yourself. You can also simply ask your family or a close friend to honestly tell you if they see you as an interrupter.
Learning to change how you converse with others is not an easy task to take on, but it is important to do so to build strong and lasting relationships.
I’m thrilled to be teaming up with some of my favorite girls online as a new co-host to a Monday link up here at Beautiful Ashes.
More specifically, how are we as blogging mommies, wives, and women, being salt and light towards others online?
Here is your chance to generously sprinkle some salt and shine a light: a link up where you share a post that you enjoyed recently from someone else’s blog or website.
Be the Salt & the Light to the world this week and share:
- Faith in Jesus – What inspired your faith walk with Jesus
- Marriage – What touched your heart for your spouse
- Singleness – What has inspired you to reach out to God
- Mothering – What encouraged you to be the best mom you can be this week
- Health – A new recipe that you hope to bless your family with, or health tip that will benefit your family
- Service – A story of service that touched you
- Finances – A tip that will serve your family well
- Homemaking – Inspiration to make your home a haven for your husband, kids, and guests
- Time – Share a story that opened your eyes to the use of time in our life
- Beauty – A reminder of what beauty really is in a world that tries so hard to
And of course, if you have written an encouraging post you would like to add to the link up, go ahead link up a second, personal post.
Weekly Feature:
Bridget, Mandy, Marissa and I are picking our own favorites each week to feature, so make sure to check out both of our sites to see if you were featured. My favorite this week is “Victim or Survivor?” by Michelle at Found.
Your Chance to be Salt & Light
More specifically, how are we as blogging mommies, wives, women, being salt & light towards others online?
Here is your chance to generously sprinkle some salt and shine a light: a link up where you share a post that you enjoyed recently from someone else’s blog or website.
Make sure to follow Marissa, Bridget, Misty and Mandy so you don’t miss future opportunities to be Salt & Light to others! Oh and check out Salt & Light’s pinterest board… your post might just show up there!
The fine print: Please understand that by linking up with the Salt & Light, you are agreeing to allow Rays of Grace & Joy, Beautiful Ashes, Women of Worship or Becoming a Godly Wife to feature you in a future post. That includes a link to your post, and a picture you’ve used on that post. You are also allowing Rays of Grace & Joy, Beautiful Ashes, Women of Worship or Becoming a Godly Wife to share any post you link up with pinterest, facebook, twitter and/or google+. Also, by posting in this hop, you are allowing your email address to be used for a weekly reminder of the hop – your email will not be used for any other purpose, period.
Thank you for hosting!
You’re very welcome! <3
Misty~
Love your post today….thank you for hosting S and L! Looking fwd to clicking to a few others’ posts.
God bless:)
~Chris
Thanks Chris! Hugs and blessings!
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Hi Misty…while I’m not a southern girl I am a city-born-and-bred girl and I can sooooo relate to your first paragraph!! Thanks for a post full of great points worth remembering. And thanks for the link-up. Hope all is well with you.
It’s nice to see you here Sheila! 🙂 I’m glad I’m not alone in my crazy family story of loud people! 🙂 LOL! Blessings!
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I’m guilty of being an interrupter, as well, only I don’t have a good excuse! 🙂 Thanks for the post and the encouraging link-up.
I don’t know that my excuse is good, I think it’s just an excuse! LOL! Blessings!
Great post! I relate completely! My family has an Italian background so it is normal to just talk louder and faster when you are passionate! I’ve had to learn to be careful about not interrupting others when I get excited! 🙂
Yes! It is crazy hard isn’t it?! Slowing down while I’m sharing my excitement with others is NOT easy! LOL! 🙂 Blessings Rebekah!
I don’t think I realized for a long time that I was an interrupter. When my extended family gets together, we all talk over each other, yet somehow still hear everything too. (We’re from the south.) 🙂 But now that I’m more aware of it, I’m sometimes appalled at myself for how frequently I can cut someone off. Thanks for the reminder today to pay more attention to that. I’m about to head to lunch with my sister and a friend, and I’ll try to do better to listen and not interrupt!
I hope you had a lovely lunch! It is appalling sometimes when I catch myself too! I try to remind myself that God gave me two ears and one mouth, so I need to listen more than I speak! Blessings Lisa!
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