Comprehension

have you ever had one of those moments in a conversation, when you realize you have no idea what the other person is saying, but you feel sheepish admitting you briefly were thinking about that shiny object in the distance?

but instead of saying something, you just keep smiling and nodding and progressing down the rabbit hole of miscomprehension?

stop yourself, put your pride away, admit you don't understand what is going on, and ask questions until you do.

there are stupid questions, you may get made fun of. oh well, people get distracted, and sometimes lose place in what they're reading.

you can go back and re-read words, if you'd like. you cannot go back in a verbal conversation, unless you let the person know that you missed something, so they can attempt to explain.