Something I have noticed as the clock continues to tic and the lines around my eyes become more defined, is the way that I handle and react to written dialogue. The cliche about age and wisdom takes on a new meaning as I no longer feel like I need to be “right” or have the conclusive answer to the topic at hand. The piss-and-vinegar has dried up and I am more in-tuned and focused on finding a solution to the problem, rather than adding to it.

One thing I can be sure of is that the more you close yourself to criticism and the more you take yourself serious, the more others will not. Don’t get me wrong, if something seems out-of-place or makes no sense to you, challenge it, don’t be afraid to be wrong… there are plenty of experts willing to explain. Asking the questions or challenging a point-of-view will also spark others to explore it and possibly have alternative, (in some cases) better views or solutions.

No matter how much static you create, if you aren’t aiming it in the right direction, it is only noise. Make it be heard.