Timely Word or Missed Opportunity?

"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." 2Timothy 4:2
There is an episode of Seinfeld in which George obsesses over the fact that he came up with a perfect comeback long after the conversation was over. It drove him crazy that he had a zinger of a response for someone and didn't have the opportunity to say it. I can so relate with George. I've often found myself in the same situation: I'm caught off-guard in a conversation and say something I regret, or I say the totally wrong thing, or even come up with a witty comment when it's no longer the appropriate time to share it. It really drives me nuts!
I had that experience the other day and it has bothered me a lot. I met our neighbor who lives across the street as she sat on her front step with her newborn - a little guy named Boston (yes, Boston) who's just two weeks old. We chatted a few minutes before April confessed that she was quite emotional that day because she was still getting used to motherhood and was having trouble getting Boston to stay asleep when she puts him in his bed. She was clearly exhausted as well as frustrated at her inability to get anything done as he wanted to be held all the time. I was sympathetic, told her I knew how she felt and assured her that the phase was temporary.
Later I realized that I could have offered her some valid suggestions for trying to get him to stay asleep. I've had enough experience with babies to know that sometimes a pacifier or a gentle pat on the back is just the thing they need. However, those ideas didn't occur to me at the time I was speaking with her. My years of experience were of no benefit to her because I wasn't prepared to share advice when it was needed. I missed the opportunity to speak into her life.
I believe the Lord has been trying to show me that I'm filling my head with too many unimportant things, which in turn prevent me from saying the right thing at the right time. Proverbs 15:23 says, "A man finds joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!". That is so true! A well-spoken reply brings satisfaction to both the speaker and the recipient. What good is my knowledge if I don't share it at the appropriate time? Television, Internet, frivolous thoughts and daydreaming take up so much space in my life that it results in mindless blather tumbling out of my lips instead of words that could bring comfort, healing, truth, and timely humor. I must fill my mind with the things of the Lord, by keeping His Word in my heart and daily asking Him to help me be salt and light. My words must be seasoned and well-chosen so that they can bless others. Otherwise, what good am I?