When to be loud / when to be quiet

I spent the majority of the first 25 years of my life being rather loud. I talked a lot. I listened little. I liked to show others that they were wrong. Or perhaps just less precise than me. I was the center of the universe. The star of the show. I really didn’t understand why some people didn’t seem to like me so much. Peculiar.

Being loud has some advantages. The world of achievements and objectives and accomplishments seems to reward a level of loudness. I think I used it to build a platform from which other interesting things could happen. But being loud has in some ways slowed down a part of my development I think.

I think I am still often too loud. But I am finally beginning to understand that if I really want to grow and learn I also need to be quiet. Quiet enough the hear what others are saying. Not just the other loud ones. But also the quiet ones. And quiet enough to listen to myself.

I will continue to be loud. I am sometimes called upon to be loud. To be expressive. To perform. But I try to balance it with a bit of quiet.

The only thing I don’t recommend is to be in between: not loud enough to assert anything and yet never quiet enough to listen.

Be loud. Really loud. The loudest you can be. Sing from the stage at the top of your lungs. So that people can hear you. See you. Feel you.

Be quiet. Really quiet. So that you can hear. Listen to the world. Listen to the voices. Listen to yourself. Learn. Enjoy.

Question for you: what’s the best cup of coffee you have had in your life and why?