2 Hours From Now

I’ve been up since the early hours in the morning. I am usually up between 4–5, and in the gym shortly thereafter. I average about 6 hours a sleep a night. The past couple of nights however, I’ve slept an hour here, two hours there. Had some high pain days, and battling a cold. I am not in top form. With that said, I usually meditate or pray while all is still and silent. This morning, I kept hearing 2 hours from now. When this happens, I know I must put pen to paper {metaphorically}, and write it out. So lets jump into it…

One of the best things that I have ever done was, cultivate the art of knowing when and when not to engage. It didn’t matter if I was acting as a manager, or in a personal relationship. A strategic pause has been so beneficial. You ever been in a conversation and you know it’s not going anywhere? You know, either they’re not ready to receive the information. Or you are having a hard time articulating your words. Put that conversation on pause, and pick it up 2 hours from now.

In nearly 4 decades working in mental health, I have seen the power of forced conversation. And from my personal observation, both men and women do it equally as often. I understand the need to be heard. But to force someone to talk, often has disastrous consequences. Be okay with circling back to a conversation.

I like 2 hours or longer. Why? Because 2 hours is enough time to allow for us to calm down, but not too long to feel disrespected. There are people who will say,” Can we talk about this later”? Which can be great insight, but can also be a stall tactic. So by circling back in 2 hours {give or take}, you both are saying it is important for us to talk. I value you. There will be times when 2 hours turns into a day. But crossing the 24 hours threshold…you are dancing with danger.

So if we can’t show up, we can at least shut up. You know most arguments are not about what you say. They are about how you say it. 2 hours from now is usually enough time to decompress and get ourselves right energetically. You don’t need to thank me. But the person you want to talk to will appreciate the pause. 2 hours from now is an investment in time and respect. And everybody has 2 hours.