THE F WORD
I avoided using the F-word as a teenager, except when hanging out with my buddies in the neighborhood, away from adults. I remember we practiced using profanity. Typically, out of context, but you've got to learn to cuss somehow. Never uttered head-turning words anywhere near my humble abode. As I got older, we got more skilled at using words that should have been left out of our vocabulary. I seem to use the F-word sometimes on the golf course. After my wayward drive ends up in the woods, and I catch myself thinking, I hope I brought enough balls.
The F- word was used in days past as the ultimate profanity word. Way higher in the hierarchy than the S word or the B word. Although butthole seemed to be OK in certain circumstances around dad, but not mom. In school, using profanity meant an immediate trip to the principal's office. Could mean a paddling or solitary confinement during recess and lunch. The principal's office was right next door to the teacher's lounge. You could suffer from secondhand smoke inhalation if your sentence was too long.
I confess I didn't use the word as a verb during my time in high school, because I was shy, awkward, and immature, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I believe it was a good thing since I did not desire to be a teenage parent. I really didn't understand the whole process. Back then, there was no Internet to get a sex education in brilliant color. I do remember that in 10th-grade biology, we were taught the perils of being intimate with the wrong person. Showed pictures of diseases that you just want to avoid. They probably show the movie in the 6th grade now. My lack of an early sex lesson didn't hurt me none. I'll move on from the verb use of the F-word.
Now the F-word is used so prevalently that it can be shouted in a restaurant, sporting event, and certainly seems to be necessary in music. None of this would have happened 25 to 30 years ago. Hope it doesn't get used at a pulpit or in a classroom by a teacher. We have to draw the line somewhere. I believe public use of profanity back in the day was a criminal offense.
For me, the F-word should be reserved for special occasions. Like when we can't get the remote control to work. Or you hit your thumb with the hammer and hope no one can hear you. There are no special words anymore. It is a shame that the F-word could not maintain its place as a special word.
I do use profanity. Not when having a normal conversation. I never use the Lord’s name in vain, for I’m afraid lightning will strike if I do. I would like society to rethink the use of the F-word. Just make it hard to explain to a six-year-old what it means. Even more important have a youngster repeat it. Remember, inadvertently teaching my angel of a daughter the S word. She had just heard me use it. Much to her mother's chagrin. Cindy must have retrained her to not use cuss words. I remember being closely followed by a policeman when driving. Presumed I was getting a ticket. Apparently, I said the S word loudly. Haley speaks from the back seat, “Daddy, that is a bad word.” I don't believe it was followed by "I'm going to tell mom," but I learned my lesson. And didn’t get stopped either.
I had been reflecting on why we have made language so that our bad words become normal. I really wish they had stayed bad. It is too late now to save them. But consider resisting the urge to use the once-vulgar word. Instead, use another F-word.
Fun. Fun brings a smile. Like, we are about to turn this smile into a laugh. Maybe an enjoyable experience. Might get to use the other F- word as it was intended, but I'm not going there. Our job is to promote fun. Any way you can. Squeezing sunshine when it feels cloudy. By encouraging fun, we help ourselves and others make a day better. So, today leave one of the F- words behind and think about another one. One that is a great way to make friends. Let's get started. What would be fun for you to do today?