Did you ever experience a time when it seemed like a certain word or theme kept repeating in almost every conversation you had? Or, like that word was trying to get your attention – to reach out to you?

Sometimes, I find the world is so busy, so loud, that I need my quiet time. There is that word again. Quiet. A few nights ago, I was talking to a friend on the phone when they mentioned the word, quiet; immediately, something was inspired in me to start writing.

We had talked about communicating: How good friends don’t always need to talk; they can just sit and be quiet, yet feel totally content and comfortable. How with good friends, being quiet can be an important part of knowing ourselves and knowing others.

Many words and phrases can offend me, but I find the term “shut up” the most offensive.

For example, you are talking and someone tells you to “shut up.”  They want you to stop talking and to be silent.  I find such an intrusion to be very impolite, as this person is taking away your right to speak.  And, the person is doing it in an unmannerly way.

While there are times when you may feel it is important to interrupt someone when they are talking, I think that using the term, “shut up,” to do so is extremely rude.

I love having a great friend of mine around me. I know that he will always be completely honest with me and share his true opinion on issues and that is a rarity these days. When we go shopping, he will be honest about what he thinks (good and bad) of the clothes I pick out. Yes he might say some clothes aren't flattering but when he says it looks amazing, I trust him. He will be real and honest with me (and everyone else) and that is characteristic I really appreciate in our friendship. I give the same thing back to him. I really admire his courage to be bold and stand up for himself. I have learned a lot from him. He isnt afraid to ask the tough questions.