So I’m on the bus with my kid, minding my own business (y’know, listening in on other people’s conversations,) when these two women behind me start talking trash about their co-workers, rather loudly.

By trash, I mean trash. Like full on nasty gossip. Not the gossip that you lie to yourself about and pretend it’s not gossip, as if you’re concerned or ‘need to process’ or whatever. This was high blowin’, low level, complete with vulgar-name-calling and that disgusted valley girl intonation- gossip.

It took a lot for me to not say something. I’m not entirely sure why I didn’t. Okay, yeah I am…they kinda scared me. Also, I’m not so sure I could have made a difference. But what I wanted to say is…

“Ladies, that talk will drag you into a petty pool of suffering. Quit that right now and your life will be better for it.”

So I’m saying it here.

So, who have you been gossiping about? Be honest. Your co-workers? Your friends? Your partner? Your family?

Gossip ain’t just nasty words. It is anything you could say about another that you wouldn’t say in front of them. This of course leaves the “I would totally say this to her face!” Loophole.

Then why aren’t you?

Gossip is anything you could say about someone else that if they heard you’d said it to others before them, they wouldn’t be cool with it.

This includes good news. Information, private of otherwise. Perspectives or ideas they’ve yet to share. So let’s not lie to ourselves and justify loose lips.

Show Respect. Err on the side of considerate and private. Be careful with others. They’re sensitive. Just like you.

Gossip drains your energy. It takes up verbal space that could be filled with silence or acknowledgement or innovative ideas or making a difference or sharing your heart, reading poetry, solving problems, singing, praising, praying or laughing.

Gossip is beneath you. Always. It makes you untrustworthy, small, petty, contracted. And over time, if it’s a strong habit, the only people who will want to be having conversations with you are other people who are cool with gossip and we all know who they’re talking about when you’re not around. you.

Oh…and listening to gossip? Still gossip. Let’s rise up. Let’s be impeccable.

This world needs your brilliance, your heart, your passion and insight, don’t dilute your power with idle chatter about people who aren’t there to represent themselves. Please.