So many words

Do we really listen when other people are speaking, instead of just waiting for our turn to speak? Do we fruitfully converse with one another, or do we talk at others.

What if we had to count our words and pay for the words we spoke? Would we listen better, and speak less? What might be the consequences of that?

What if proper etiquette dictated the importance of speaking fewer words than the others in the conversation,... not by "tuning out" but by keenly "tuning in" and sincerely laboring to fully understand others, both out of respect and genuine interest in them, but also a desire to learn and grow?

Both Scripture and my sons are teaching me to listen more attentively, be very slow to anger, and neither judge nor withhold grace or foregiveness.