Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak

Something I've come to learn about my self this summer is that about 75% of the things that come out of my mouth, I would not have said had I taken a chance to think about it beforhand. Have you ever felt that way? I hadn't fully realized that until I noticed it with my co-workers this summer. I worked a lot more than I have before this summer, so I had much more time to talk with my two bosses. Very quickly I found myself putting my foot in my mouth, offending someone, or asking the dumbest questions, all because I just said the first thing that came to my mind. I'm finding more and more that I do that with my friends too. Typically, I'm quick to joke around but often times it comes across as meaner then I intend. I always tell myself to "filter" what I say, but rarely does that happen consistently. More and more I find myself in an argument with someone trying to defend something I said, even though I know what I said was wrong or stupid. James 1:19 says "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." Slow to speak is definitely something I need to work on.....Easier said then done though.