Life's Interruptions

Have you ever tried to carry on a conversation with someone who likes to hear themselves talk more than they like to listen? I am sure you have. We all know someone who will invariably interrupt you at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence (never at the end of the sentence because that would mean they didn't interrupt) to tell you what they think or know, what you should think, what you should know, what to do, what not to do, how they feel, how you should feel, what they did in that situation, what you should do in that situation....on and on and on.....

I have a friend like that. Just for fun the other day, I decided to count the number of sentences I was able to complete in an hour. I started a total of 32 sentences and completed 4 of them without interruption. Hmmmm........... What does that tell me? There are several ways to look at this bad habit - and I do believe it is a very bad and inconsiderate habit that we all need to be aware of as it can say the following to our friends.

First - When you interrupt someone, you are basically telling them that you are more important - your opinion is more important - your thoughts are more important and any information you can impart is far more important than whatever they have to say to you.

Second - When you interrupt someone, you are confirming that their information, opinion, thoughts or feelings are more than likely incorrect according to your way of thinking. So now, not only are you telling them how unimportant they are, you are also telling them their thoughts, words and/or deeds are incorrect as well.

Wow - Now who wouldn't want a friend like that? The world really does revolve around them - just ask them....they will be happy to tell you!

Now, of course, there is another way to look at this. It is so easy to take this personally, but is it really about you? Are you really unimportant? Are you really incorrect? I don't think so! I think it is more about them than you. Why? I believe the person who is doing the interrupting has a need to feel superior and the only way they can actually do that is by trying to make you feel inferior. Their thoughts or information is not more important or more correct - they just have a need to try and make their thoughts more important or more correct. It really has nothing to do with you - it is all about them - their insecurities and their needs.

There are only two reasons we do anything in our life - to gain pleasure or to avoid pain. When you interrupt someone in the middle of a sentence it is only for one of those reasons. You may want to ask yourself which of these reasons are the most common for you? You may also want to ask yourself why this bad habit has become a part of your life? And last, but certainly not least, ask yourself 'If the shoe were on the other foot and your friend was always interrupting what you were trying to say, would you want to continue to be friends'? Hmmmmm..........food for thought.

Thanks for letting me share my time and thoughts with you. Writing is so sweet - I can't be interrupted!

Thanks for sharing your time with me. Let me know your thoughts. I promise not to interrupt!!!

From Me 2 You Online
Laurie Brand