Thanks for listening Mate!

Yesterday was a day of upsets in the English FA cup, but certainly a good lesson for some like the manager of Chelsea FC who said it would be a disgrace if his team lost to a team like Bradford.  Two hours later and in the history books forever he was surely regretting the arrogant comment. Sometimes we make comments expecting a certain result and by the time the words are hardly out when we realise the ramification of what we have let loose.  Being a manager of a team like Chelsea FC comes with some expectations and demands and being a quiet soul is probably not one of them.  You would need to be opinionated and self assured and almost cocky in your manner.  But people like this certainly do not always endear themselves to others and result in people often wanting you to fail or reminding you of any errant comment. Words uttered are not easily recalled and comments made flippantly and without proper thought can certainly send us down a path of broken relationships and damaged feelings.  Sometimes we are wise to hold back on insensitive comments, but how do we gauge what needs to be said and what comes so easily from our tongues and should be left unspoken.  Having a person of substance who can shoulder your concerns is a wonderful thing.  There is surely merit to the saying that a man (woman) is considered wise if he (she) is a man (woman - seems a contradiction but that is another topic!) of few words.  Such people are usually good listeners and it is worth knowing a few men and woman to help us in times of testing. And how is that some people with ease seem to be able to illicit a response and cause us to pour out our words.  Some have the ability to get others to speak and share and when we are with them we feel the need to spill our guts too.  We end up gushing and later think how did we manage to share all that information when the person asked a mere question or two.    If such a person has integrity as well and can maintain your trust, they become worthy of being a valuable friend. We often face challenges in our lives and to have a person whom we can share with at any occasion and notwithstanding what we may say they continue to be there is truly rewarding.  Their ability to not cast judgement on us and support can be meaningful and we not have to stand alone when we may have the opinions and comments of others flying at us.  Sometimes though we have to appear strong and brave their soothing word may come at the right time when we just need some encouragement.  So even when it is our job or it is necessary to produce an angry or ill considered comment, let us remember the someone who is ready to respond to the aftermath appropriately and be grateful for their blessing upon our lives.