Thursday, January 23, 2020

self challenge- replacing the F word

It is 3:30am and I cant sleep. I am a rebel of a human, if you dont know that about me. I was lying in bed wide awake thinking about my kids. Thinking about the need to help them cut back on screen time. Thinking about how to encourage them in their faith, in their love for God, in who they are. "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." "What you put in, is what comes out." Conversations I need to have with them about self control and conditions of the heart. This led to self reflection on my use of language. I think, because of my rebel heart, I have no issue with common "bad words." My kids know that I frequently use them and I dont care if they do. They also know there are words that I dont use and that I feel are "bad" words. My words are the "R" word, "N" word and "JC" or "GD" and other words that are specifically used to cause hurt or pain. The typical bad words in my opinion are used to express emotion or as adjectives and I just dont think they are that big of a deal. That being said, I have zero issue with the "F" word. I dont even know why it is a bad word. It is a noun, a verb, adverb, adjective... I mean you can use it anywhere. I do believe it is never appropriate to say "F U" to anyone, I always told my kids that is telling someone you hate them the most. The point of all of this is, I realized, people in general feel that is a very bad word, so I need to be aware of that. I use it incredibly freely, it is definitely one of my most used. I need to stop. I have not changed my view on that. I still dont think it is a bad word, but that doesnt change how others view it or me when I use it as often as I do. So... what is a replacement word??? What can be used for any given scenario??? I think I have one! I think I have come up with a word that I think can fit into just about any sentence. Love. I am going to use that in place of the F word and see how that works. I will let ya know. Instead of "ah F", "ah love". I think it will work. Cheers to change.