Weeds and Lies have a Lot in Common
That uncomfortable feeling is telling you something.
Feeling uncertain about the conversations going on around you? It’s likely your instincts are sending you an important warning …
Recently, I’ve noticed a sense of uneasiness come over me when listening to other people’s conversations.
For the record, I’m not in the habit of eavesdropping or attempting to wedge my way into private discussions. What I’m referring to is general open dialogue — the kind that’s going on around us all the time.
The source of my mental discomfort?
I’m beginning to hear things that truly frighten me. It’s almost as if there’s some kind of whisper game being played in the background, and I’m on the receiving end of a disturbing outcome.
For those of you unfamiliar with the whisper game, here’s a brief explanation of how it works. First, assemble a group of participants — 8 or 10 or 12 people, whoever is handy and in the mood. Then everyone gets in a straight line or forms a circle. Sitting is optional.
One person starts the game by thinking of a phrase or sentence and whispering it into the ear of the person next to them. Then the second person whispers what they heard into the person’s ear next to them, and so on until the last one in the line or circle has received the secret message.
When the last person repeats the phrase, it’s typically very different than the original message. Everyone holds their breath, waiting to hear how the first person’s whisper eventually translated to the last person to hear it.