If you have nothing good to say don't say anything at all.

I don’t usually voice my complaints to people. I just let it slide. It makes the day go by easier. I often try to be satisfied with what I have. Yet, there are some days I make up my mind to make a statement. I prep myself, go over the conversation in my head. I think of all the counter arguments the person can come up with. I think of civilized non-violent/non-vulgar ways to respond. I think of ways to hit home, and make sure they get my point quick. Then I get myself in the zone (jogging in place or listening to some hard core music). Then the moment arrives, I take a deep breath and go in for the kill.

I make my first statement and prepare for one of the counter arguments I’ve taken note of, then BAM!

The person says yes, or agrees with me and apologizes.**WHOA** So not having practiced this possible outcome, I mutter something else and then walk away. This has been happening way too often. Of course that’s a good thing, but man it messes with my head. I just went through so much work thinking of a way to get my way and then I just get it…weird.

What kills me is that I’m only figuring this out now. Imagine all the crap I could have gotten had I done this earlier. Had I just voiced my opinion. Sure not every circumstance would have come out the same but man I’m sure a few yes’s would have come up, even if I had to go through the grueling conversations I made up, a yes is a yes darnit.

On the bright side, I now know I need to start voicing my opinions despite my fear of rejection or of an altercation. I need to get it together. Cowards don’t make it far.