CONFESSION: with particular attention to TC, David Levine and Judy Clay.
Family background and personal experience caused me to shun expletives as signs of violence, misogyny, prejudice... I have overcome much of my bias on this score, and I read a piece that lifted by heart and absolutely turned my thoughts upside-down. It good stuff …
CONFESSION: with particular attention to TC, David Levine and Judy Clay.
Family background and personal experience caused me to shun expletives as signs of violence, misogyny, prejudice... I have overcome much of my bias on this score, and I read a piece that lifted by heart and absolutely turned my thoughts upside-down. It good stuff for all of us.
'How I learned that swearing can be good for the soul'
'I was once a cautious curser, but living with multiple sclerosis taught me that it can be freeing to be foul-mouthed'
Perspective by Elizabeth Jameson
'When I still had the use of my hands, I used to load up my paintbrush and hurl a glob of paint against my studio wall, as a way of releasing frustrations. I didn’t ask permission. I just did it.'
'When I lost the use of my hands — not to mention the rest of my body — because of the progression of multiple sclerosis, even that release was gone. Then one day, after I’d gone to work out at a rehabilitation center for people with spinal cord injuries, and was sitting and waiting for my caregiver to get the car, I stumbled upon another welcome release. One I could use even in my quadriplegic body: swearing.'
'Living with multiple sclerosis has meant that my life is perpetually governed and controlled by people who make decisions on my behalf. I desperately need these people, and I deeply appreciate them. But it’s still sometimes frustrating that I need someone else to do just about anything.'
'I cannot drive my own wheelchair or hold a cup of coffee. I can’t scratch the itch on my nose or quench my thirst unless someone lifts a cup and straw to my mouth. I have to be fed by others, who don’t necessarily know to offer up the right thing at the right time. Words only go so far, and I don’t want to seem too difficult. If crumbs fall while I’m being fed, I’ll often just resign myself to the mess. Would it be nice if someone noticed and intervened? Sure. Is it worth having to make yet another dreaded ask? Probably not.'
'It has taken a long time, but I have found ways to use my voice beyond everyday requests and niceties: cursing with abandon.'
'Some time ago, I was waiting for my ride at the rehabilitation center. A man I had seen a few times before rolled up in his wheelchair to wait alongside me. He genially asked my name, and I told him.
“Hi — I’m Ted,” he said. Then, with a huge grin, he added, “I don’t mean to offend you, but f--- you, Elizabeth!”
'To someone else it might have been unnerving. But the way Ted was smiling at me, it seemed less like an insult than an invitation — to play, perhaps? To be defiant? To not have to be on my best behavior, for once?'
“Well, f--- you too, Ted!” I beamed. (WAPO) See gifted link below.
CONFESSION: with particular attention to TC, David Levine and Judy Clay.
Family background and personal experience caused me to shun expletives as signs of violence, misogyny, prejudice... I have overcome much of my bias on this score, and I read a piece that lifted by heart and absolutely turned my thoughts upside-down. It good stuff for all of us.
'How I learned that swearing can be good for the soul'
'I was once a cautious curser, but living with multiple sclerosis taught me that it can be freeing to be foul-mouthed'
Perspective by Elizabeth Jameson
'When I still had the use of my hands, I used to load up my paintbrush and hurl a glob of paint against my studio wall, as a way of releasing frustrations. I didn’t ask permission. I just did it.'
'When I lost the use of my hands — not to mention the rest of my body — because of the progression of multiple sclerosis, even that release was gone. Then one day, after I’d gone to work out at a rehabilitation center for people with spinal cord injuries, and was sitting and waiting for my caregiver to get the car, I stumbled upon another welcome release. One I could use even in my quadriplegic body: swearing.'
'Living with multiple sclerosis has meant that my life is perpetually governed and controlled by people who make decisions on my behalf. I desperately need these people, and I deeply appreciate them. But it’s still sometimes frustrating that I need someone else to do just about anything.'
'I cannot drive my own wheelchair or hold a cup of coffee. I can’t scratch the itch on my nose or quench my thirst unless someone lifts a cup and straw to my mouth. I have to be fed by others, who don’t necessarily know to offer up the right thing at the right time. Words only go so far, and I don’t want to seem too difficult. If crumbs fall while I’m being fed, I’ll often just resign myself to the mess. Would it be nice if someone noticed and intervened? Sure. Is it worth having to make yet another dreaded ask? Probably not.'
'It has taken a long time, but I have found ways to use my voice beyond everyday requests and niceties: cursing with abandon.'
'Some time ago, I was waiting for my ride at the rehabilitation center. A man I had seen a few times before rolled up in his wheelchair to wait alongside me. He genially asked my name, and I told him.
“Hi — I’m Ted,” he said. Then, with a huge grin, he added, “I don’t mean to offend you, but f--- you, Elizabeth!”
'To someone else it might have been unnerving. But the way Ted was smiling at me, it seemed less like an insult than an invitation — to play, perhaps? To be defiant? To not have to be on my best behavior, for once?'
“Well, f--- you too, Ted!” I beamed. (WAPO) See gifted link below.
https://wapo.st/3QdQU0i
Hurrah for Fern! Welcome to PottyMouthworld!! :-)
LOL! I'm a better listener now as for the rest 🥁🎺🎷🎶😉 !