Chit Chat

Abe read me part of a book once, the idea that there are two kinds of people, "babbling brooks," and "dead seas." The Dead Sea personality type "receives many experiences, emotions, and thoughts throughout the day. They have a large reservoir where they store that information and are perfectly happy not to talk. On the other extreme, is the 'babbling brook.' For this personality, whatever enters into the eye gate or the ear gate comes out the mouth gate and there are seldom sixty seconds between the two. Whatever they see, whatever they hear, they tell. In fact, if no one is at home to talk to, they will call someone else." (I am so guilty of this! Walking home from work is the worst time for this...I need someone to dump all of the contents of my day upon. And if I don't get to, I can get pretty frustrated.)

It didn't take much time for us to realize that I am a babbling brook and he is a dead sea. (The book also states, "Many times a dead sea marries a babbling brook. That happens because when they are dating, it is a very attractive match." So I guess we are normal).

I can't help myself. I am a talker. I find myself talking about any and every old thing. Abraham made me more cognizant of this after we were first married as he would drop everything, smile at me, and give me his full attention (usually while he was in the middle of something important like studying, cooking, etc). Suddenly, my thoughts on hand sanitizer, every conversation I had that day, or what I think about filafel seemed kind of silly.

Sometimes my talking gets me into trouble. Perhaps a dangerous combo is not only am I a big talker, but I'm quite open. Have you ever told someone a secret because you just knew they were on your side? Even if it doesn't make sense for them to want to keep your secret. Yup. That's me.

Other times it can be embarassing. I often leave parties, church, or other social events thinking, "Oh no, I talked way too much." Or, "I shouldn't have said that!" Or, "I think we talked about ME the entire time!" To add to the constant stream coming from my mouth, I also have to speak dramatically with what most of my friends call "voices." I quite often get people asking me to repeat something I said to hear how dramatic and dumb I sounded the first time. I can't help that either. The voices just turn on automatically. Everyone in my family does it. How can I fight inheritance?

If I've ever talked your ear off, said one too many comments in church, or spoke too freely with you, sorry! I'm working on it. (Although I just failed with this post, I think, which seems to be going on and on and on and on.)

Anyway, I wish I had some way to put this trait (talent/bad habit/character flaw) to good use. I've secretly wanted to be a radio talk show host. Or stand up comic. I could also probably settle with teacher, story teller, writer. Anything to get paid to spew my oh-so-wonderful opinions. At least then my sometimes annoying habit would be productive in some way.

Is anyone else a babbling brook and feel my pain?

(PS-- Doesn't it seem ironic I can't seem to come up with anything worthwhile to blog about.)