You Can Shut-Up Now

Let’s face it, we all have said some less than stellar things in our lives before. Sometimes, we word vomit before we can shut up.

“Talking sh*t” is a permanent personality fixture for some folk. What I mean by that is that, they probably could not function without it.

I am not approaching this as two buddies bantering back and forth, face-to-face, roasting each other. Frankly, that is pretty fun. What I am referring to is when you have someone, behind another’s back, spreading less than courteous information about another without their knowing.

Do some people make themselves an easy target with their actions, decisions, and sometimes how they live their lives? Sure. Probably. Why is it easy to judge? Because it is different than the way you live.

Excuses You’ll Tell Yourself to Justify Your Behavior

1. They are just seeking attention: Some people have to seek attention with what they own, who they are in a relationship with, what they do. Some people just like showing off their life because maybe they worked hard to get there, and still can’t believe they are living their life.
2. They are an awful person: If they are an awful person, what does it make you by judging them? If they are awful in your eyes, cut them out of your life and continue living!
3. That does not fit into my religion: There are so many triggering things I could say that deals with people basing their opinions on others because they base it on THEIR OWN religious views. If someone has a complete opposite perspective on religion than you do… fabulous. Talk to them like an adult and have an intelligent conversation without shouting. Welcome the opportunity to grow as a person. It may also strengthen tolerance and understanding for those that differ from you.
4. Politics are opposite of yours: I am really tired of hearing people put each other down based on political beliefs. Picture this: a liberal and a conservative are stranded out in the woods in a few feet of snow. One has dry sticks, and the other has the means to start the fire. So, would you choose to freeze because you have to work together with the ‘enemy?’

Don’t get me wrong, I personally have people that I know that I do not want in my life because they either harm too many people with what they say or do. There has to be a balance of what you yourself will tolerate.

I am not writing this acting like I am a saint, and I will not deny that I have not talked behind someone’s back before. Now that I reflect, does it make me a better version of myself? No, quite opposite.

Call yourself out. There is a part of myself that absolutely HATES calling myself out. It makes me uncomfortable. But, I do it anyway. Internal debates happen. I do feel better after my moral and ethic code makes an appearance.

Why We Talk Sh*t  

1. We lack something in our own lives. There is a void that we do not clearly see within ourselves.
2. We are jealous. It is very natural to be jealous of something else someone has. We may want it and view it as something that elevates our own lives.
3. We are bored. Boredom in our own life can lead to trying to tear down another’s life. That person may come across as the poster child for living the dream.

In conclusion, live your life. Work towards your goals. Befriend someone that has opposing views as you. Learn something new. And, shut your damn mouth if you are knowingly going to say hurtful things behind the backs of others.