Sugar Fast Day 17

I talk too much. Or rather, when I talk, I babble on too much. I am fully aware that what I say needs to become more direct and full of substance. At times, I speak without thinking first. Do you do the same? It’s so strange to say because I consider myself to be more of an introvert, and this was never something that plagued me as it does now. In fact, when I was a kid, I was painfully, debilitatingly shy. But boy as I’ve aged, how my inability to control all of my internal dialogue from being spouted out has gotten away from me. I’ve come to realize, long before this fast, that it’s something I need to work on. And, of course, as I journey through this fast, it’s extremely apparent that I must do so. It’s something that has gotten a bit out of control and that I need to fast from as well.

As I write this, I become aware that this is something I usually do in the safety of my own home. My long-winded rants tend to be mostly towards my children. I have a desire to explain and justify, when what I need to do instead is ponder and with conviction just say what it is that needs to be said. It’s not a surprise that my kids chatter incessantly and explain non-stop as a result of my own verbal messiness. And it’s also not a surprise that it drives me insane. Usually, the things that irritate us the most are the exact things that we need to work on in our own lives.

Yesterday as my kids were simultaneously giving me pushback, I allowed my anxiety to take control and therefore my over-talking to get out of control. I’ll tell you what, this is not effective in child rearing or in communication of any sort. All of the lessons I was trying to impart, went in one ear and out the other for my little ones, which makes you feel even more defeated as a mom. Not a good place to be.

So just like the impulsiveness to run to grab some chocolate, we must also tame our desire to ramble and ramble and, you guessed it, ramble. Just as it is important to curb your cravings for sugar, so is it to silence yourself and listen. Today I am going to consciously slow down, talk less (and at shorter lengths), and simply listen. Please join me in doing this. I know we’ll hear some great things when we do.

You made it to Day 17 you Gnarly Faster! Enjoy the silence.

-Tara xo

Gnarly Things to Check Out

Meditation: Keep it simple. Sit comfortably. Breathe. Embrace the silence. And listen to what comes. Be transformed.

Quote: “The tongue has no bones, but it is strong enough to break a heart. So be careful with your words!”