SILENCE Confidence and silence are often synonymous. Insecurity and over-talking are often synonymous. The majority of things that we say are often irrelevant and can be detrimental to our greater good. People talk out of habit, conditioning, and an uncomfortability in the space of silence. The majority of people that complain about being betrayed refuse to admit that it was something that they disclosed to someone that they never should have that started the ball of betrayal on its path. Secrets we should have never divulged, personal and private information we should never have conveyed, and parts of ourselves that we felt the need to get off our chest that came back to bite us in the ass. Before you confide in someone, ask yourself one simple question: Can and will what I am sharing be used against me? If you ask yourself that question and answer it honestly, you’ll understand the value of silence. Example: Divorce courts are filled with broken vows and a desire for revenge. People who at one point confided with each other and are now having those confidences that they divulged in private moments used against them to extract every last drop out of the other person in the most public of settings. There is a saying that goes: If you say nothing, you can say nothing wrong. Understand that your silence will not stop people from trying to tear you down. The difference is if you are silent, they can’t use your words to do it. I always say, I can’t stop someone from shooting me but I am sure as hell not going to give them the bullets and the gun. Start choosing the strength and wisdom of silence over the uncomfortability or naivety of feeling the need to talk. We are never betrayed by our enemies. Enemies do not betray each other because they know going in they are enemies. We are betrayed by people we perceive to be our friends and family who we confide things to that we never should have. If you look back at situations and scenarios where you feel you have been betrayed, the point of origin is almost always you expressing something to someone that you shouldn’t have shared and that is now being yielded against you like a machete that lops off your head. They say silence is golden. It isn’t just golden; it’s priceless. Words may have power but the wrong words will be used by the people in power to render you powerless. Written by #HarryPetsanis and #AnnaAter #SilenceIsStrength #GuardYourWords #ValuePrivacy #TrustWisely #ConfidencesBetrayed #PowerInSilence #InsecurityAndTalk