"One ought, everyday at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture and speak a few reasonable words." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

On Profanity


“Al Gore took a Viagra and grew two feet.” 
--Larry the Cable Guy

Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t use profanity. I’m not a total prude about it; it’s just a personal preference not to use words outside of their defined meanings. I also like to be a little different than the rest of the herd, and let’s face it, swearing is definitely not unique. On occasion, I have been known to use a curse word when quoting someone else, or when I believe the word will enhance a point; mostly for comedic purposes. But I’m not really that funny, so that’s decidedly rare.

But I love the word bastard.

Where the other, crasser curse words don’t tempt me, bastard does. It’s so little used and has such a funny sound, it appeals to my sense of humor and love of the uncommon. However, I can’t really find an appropriate way to use it in line with its definition, so I never get to say it.

But I have found an old, similar sounding word that isn’t considered profane and can be used according to its definition. At first I thought I made it up because I had never heard it used as a noun. But I looked it up in the dictionary, and there it was; a real word:

Dastard: n. A person who acts treacherously or underhandedly. Cowardly. Sneaking. Malicious.

It’s uncommon. It’s got that same funny sound that feels alive and bouncy in my mouth. It can be easily used in line with its definition. It’s a little shocking. It’s perfect!

I used the Larry the Cable Guy quote above for this post because I thought it would be funny to play a little passive aggressive fill in the blank. Just take out the Al Gore and replace it with your favorite dastard. Don't forget to post it in the comments!

"                                           took a Viagra and grew two feet."

Friday, July 20, 2012

God and the Universe

{Edmond Dantès}: I don't believe in God.
{Priest}: It does not matter. He believes in you.
--The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas 

I have a quote I’d like to share (below). I like almost everything about this quote, but one thing bothers me and I need to address it before I share.

I don’t know what the deal is lately, but I have noticed a new-age fascination with the term “the Universe” when referring to spiritual things. Is it just because people view God as inaccessible to our modern sensibilities? Or is it because “the Universe” can integrate many differing beliefs into one broad term?

Well, whether it’s for accessibility or unification - or even some completely different reason - it bugs me.

I believe in God and I personally believe “the Universe” diminishes him. He created the Universe; He is bigger than the Universe. And I refuse to reduce His infinite value by perpetuating the term “the Universe” in relation to Him and/or His works. Therefore, wherever the Universe is mentioned in the following quote, I have changed the wording back to what it should be: God. I still resent the brackets, but at least now the principle can ring through without all the distracting noise from "the Universe." ;)

“If you say to [God], 'Gimme, gimme, gimme,' then [God] gives you back what you offered out. You get more 'gimme, gimme, gimme.' “Gimme” means you don’t have enough. You have a shortage. [God] just keeps giving you more shortage because of what you’re thinking and saying.
“If, on the other hand, you say to [God] again and again, 'How may I serve? How may I serve? How may I serve?' and you live a life of constancy reflecting that principle, [God] will respond back, 'How may I serve you?'”

--Wayne Dyer