Words Matter
When my husband and I traveled across country, people could often tell where we were from because of our accent and the words or expressions we used. Once while camping and using the shower facilities in a campground with my young daughters, someone called out to me and said, “You have to be from the Eastern Shore!”
“We are,” I responded. “But how did you know that?”
“By the way you talk,” she said.
Needless to say, I was totally shocked. I had no idea I had even the remotest accent or used any particular dialect relative to the place we lived. But given I never saw or met the woman who spoke to me, I apparently did!
UNIQUE TO GEOPGRAPHY
In the northern states people put items in a sack, while on the east coast items are put in a bag. We have sodas, other people have pop. Many grandparents are mom mom and pop pop, while in other areas they are Grandma and Grandpa or Nana and Poppa. It has to do with geography. None is wrong, just different.
In the Appalachian Mountains there is a distinct dialect which sets it apart and has been suggested as being inferior, due to seclusion from other areas, apathy, and absence of education. The culture has been subjected to accusations of unsophistication. This is far from the truth. People are just different, and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, the dialect and accent is an appealing element of that area. There have been times when I’ve looked at a total stranger with whom I’m having a conversation and say, “I could listen to you talk all day long!”
When we share our faith or political views we are sometimes accused of a variety of things. It might be stupidity, lunacy, ignorance or even fanaticism. When attacked in such a way, we might choose to cower and stop sharing, even when we would rather not. We aren’t trying to be fearful, we just want the mocking and insults to stop.
Recently a young woman I don’t know “followed” me on Twitter. I responded with a thank you and hoped she’d find my posts a blessing. I was taken aback when her response was negative and downright insulting, especially when she “followed” me, not the other way around. I wanted to respond, and ask why she followed me, but the internet (or my computer) –or a Higher Power intervened and I could not make connection.
It’s difficult to react positively when unkind things are being said. Often our instinct is to respond with equally negative reactions. When we do this we are allowing the negativity control us and rule our thoughts and behaviors.
DISABILITIES AND WORDS
This pattern of behavior seems especially evident regarding those who have disabilities. Sometimes a disability is invisible to the general population, yet this person could be experiencing incredible physical pain. I’ve heard the comment before when a person gets out of a vehicle parked in ‘Handicapped Parking” —with a permit displayed, that she/he is abusing someone else’s placard because they didn’t ‘look’ disabled. Other times people will make an unkind remark when having to go around a wheelchair, or wait because a person is deaf and/or mute and is trying to make themselves understood. These are only a few examples, but the incidents are real and can be demoralizing!
So I challenge you to offer understanding when people are different from what seems “normal” in your world. Different isn’t necessarily wrong. On the other side of the isle, consider the person throwing vile and offensive comments as an opportunity to demonstrate the goodness, hope and happiness in your life. You might be the only glimpse of joy they’ve seen all day long!
#disabilitiesAndwords #WordsMatter #qualificationRequiredForParking #parkingpermit #It’sOkayToBeDifferent #IamDifferent
#wordsHurt #wordsCanBuildUp #WhatIsNormal #differentIsn’tWrong #differentIsJustDifferent #BeKind #OfferHope
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