Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

As I get older I become more quiet.  I listen, but often I don't respond, at least not beyond paraphrasing what the other person has said.  I don't want to engage in debate, and have no desire to convince someone else of my point of view.  I'm okay now with people seeing the world differently, and know that all reality is subjective.  So I'm not as passionate, especially if I can see another side of an issue.  I'm still an enthusiast for certain operas or books or music, and if the other person is interested, can describe in great detail why that book affected me so deeply.  But that is about explaining who I am, not demanding that the other agree.  And I have to trust that person, really trust him or her, to even put out that energy.  I'm more comfortable in my own skin these days, which is strange and new, but welcome.