Tarnation!

Now there's a word you don't hear much anymore. For some reason, folks would rather swear than say, "what in tarnation!".

Like "by gosh!" and "golly" and "gee whiz", "tarnation" has been replaced by taking God's name in vain, or by various four-letter words. I'm admitting that one occasionally slips from me, usually "damn". I try to be careful about using God's name in vain. Staying on His good side, instead of in His wrath, matters to me.

I cringe when I hear euphemisms for people of any race, gender or nationality. I will leave if I can, suffer if I can't. I look at it this way--people are born the way they are born. If I don't like a person, it is because of what they have allowed themselves to become, not because of who they are.

Words can bolster one's ego, flatter one's being. Or, they can dash one's hopes and dreams, destroy the very essence of one's life. They can heal and soothe, or they can leave scars and humiliation.

Powerful things, our words.

Sometimes it takes no more than a "yes" or a "no" to change an attitude, or even a life. Sometimes all it takes is an honest answer (or a white lie) to create cheer. A compliment, sincerely given and graciously accepted, can help make the difference between success and self-esteem or abject failure. Gentle, considerate criticisms are a staff of life; nagging, harshness and bashing are death to a person's will.

Our vocabulary needs some revamping. "Gosh" and "gee whiz" and "tarnation" need to be a bigger part of it, as do "joy" and "faith" and "I love you".

Words hurt, and words heal