One day in a meeting I wrote a few cuss words on a white board to watch the visceral reaction of the group of leaders in the room. Immediately when some words appeared on the board you could see people fidget in their seats. There was an undeniable, visceral reaction to these words. After observing this and asking people to tell me how they felt when seeing the words I told them that I was going to introduce them to the ultimate cuss word. I told them that it's the worst word to hear from a customer when describing themselves. It's the depressing word you use to describe what you do for a living. It's the word you use to excuse your pathetic waste of time rather than doing what will improve your life. It's the word you can use in any social situation without anyone stopping to stare at you. In fact, when you say it most people just go right along with you. Then, I wrote on the board the word just.
"I'm just a stay at home mom." "Oh, I just work in a cafe making food." "I'm just a single member of your gym that doesn't buy personal training." "I know I'm just a member using the coupon you gave me for the massage and not a regular client yet." This last comment is one that led to the aforementioned meeting.
Just. For most this word isn't going to cause any immediate visceral reaction. You aren't repulsed by it, turned off by seeing it or, frankly offended when you use it. After all...it's just a word.
Shit. It has two meanings really doesn't it? It can be used to describe feces or it can be used as an expressive vulgarity. Many would debate that regardless of its use it's still a cuss word in the American English language. By the way...pay attention to your gut reaction...most of us feel the visceral pull of the last word more than the word just. Hell. Same thing. Two meanings. It's a place that some debate is not a cuss word, but when used as an expression it is. Just. Equally, it can have two, or probably multiple meanings. "Did you break your arm?" "No, I just bruised it." Not much cursing going on in this conversation. "What do you do for a living?" "I just work as a janitor." Massive cussing here.
When used to minimize the important, when used to make smaller something that shouldn't be the word just can be more powerful than any damn swear word in your quiver. Just a single member? No, they are a valued customer that needs attention and service. Especially now that we made them feel like "just" anything. Just a stay at home mom? Well, my stay at home mom is one of the greatest people in the world...despite all of my obvious faults. Just out of bacon? Ok ok, now we have serious problems.
How often do you use this curse word in your day to day? What is it that you are minimizing? Your strength? Others strength? Your potential? Other people's potential? Your value? The value of your "job," your daily routine? Where are you "just" ifying the minimizing in your life?
You all say it. Religious? Doesn't matter. You say it as much as your non-religious friends. Male? Female? It's all the same. Both genders are equally generous with their use of this word. It's the worst word to hear from a customer when describing themselves. It's the depressing word you use to describe what you do for a living. It's the word you use to excuse your pathetic waste of time rather than doing what will improve your life. It's the word you can use in any social situation without anyone stopping to stare at you. In fact, when you say it most people just go right along with you.
Stop just-ing your life away and begin to train your mind to have the same visceral reaction to this curse word as any other. Live well. Be well.
***Thanks for making time to read the blog. I appreciate your comments and shares. Please let me know what you think in the comment section below.***
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