"Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry."

(James 1.19 GNB)

Many of us form an opinion about someone that we just met instantaneously. Mostly based on what we see and hear at that moment.

But what we see is not necessarily the true nature of the person. Everyone has a back story. There is a reason.

The reason can be purely internal or it can be external; it depends on the circumstance. How we (the people around) behave can influence the internal response. We / I can be the instigator too.

I want to be "quick to listen, but slow to speak" to help others be comfortable to be who they are when they are with me. And I want to bring out the best in others.

See:

• When no one is watching
• Social expectations