I don’t use curse words.
In fact, I’ve never physically spoken a curse word.
Yeah, I know… I’m that person.
To start, curse words were never actively present in my childhood reality. My parents and other communities I was a part of did not use them, so I was first exposed to them during the later years of grade school.
I’ve never been one to follow trends. In school, I intentionally opposed fads so nobody could think of me as a copy or anything less than my authentic self. I wanted to be different.
When I realized swearing was everywhere and widely used by all my peers, I made a pact with myself that I would not use them.
People began noticing when I would skip over words while reading aloud, substitute words in a song, or have trouble relaying the exact words someone said.
I was met with shock and amazement each time I said, “I just don’t use those words.” That only encouraged me to continue in the path I had cut for myself.
I also found curse words to be wildly unprofessional. I prided myself in being a mature individual with high moral standards. Surely a professional adult would not give in to using such low-quality words?
Although those ideas are somewhat outdated, I still hold firm to the belief that they are unprofessional and unbecoming. Although I have little problem with others around me using curse words, I could never imagine myself casually including them in my dialogue as a member of the royal family or the CEO of a company.
As I matured, my choice to never swear solidified as I learned the significance and power behind words. I did not stop at curse words. I even banned phrases like “it’s killing me” and “I’m dying” from my vocabulary. I substitute words in for any song with lyrics similar to those phrases. I refuse to speak anything other than blessing upon my life.
It may sound extreme, but when have words ever been anything but extreme? Even when we do not realize it, words carry weight. They live on and go before us.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” [Maya Angelou]
From a faith perspective, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21). It’s true. I can easily recall moments when someone’s words made me cry and other times when words made me angry, thankful, or happy. Language is a fundamental element in the emotions we have and perceptions we make.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).
I want my words to represent myself well. To uplift and encourage. To bless myself and those around me. I want to create an environment filled with life and beauty wherever I go. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
So, from me, there are $0 in the swear jar.