In Toastmasters we use a clicker. The person in the role of Grammarian listens for the “um” “aaaannnndddd” “uh” words that insidiously sneak into our impromptu speaking (guests and prepared speeches are spared the obnoxious clicker that is disguised as a harmless little toy frog).

When speaking, I find it incredibly distracting to hear this “CLICK!” which is, of course the point. Usually, we don’t realize how many ahs, ums, & aaannnnddds we utter. It forces me to pay more attention to my word choice, and even more importantly, it calls attention to the space between my words. If I don’t know what word to say, say nothing. Nothing can be quite loud.

Just as I become more intentional with the words I speak, I can be more intentional with the actions in my day, more intentional with the stuff put in my space.

It reminds me that the canvas on which I create my life can be beautifully silent and spacious. What I place on it and in it can and should be that which makes me, or others, smile. I can choose to leave out fillers. Fillers are for Twinkies.