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200 words, believe, caring, courage, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, growing up, integrity, kindness, laughter, life, powerful, protected, signs, Taking offense, vulnerability, words are powerful, world issues
“Some people take offense like it’s a limited time offer.” ~ Tim Fargo
I passed this sign the other day.
Don’t take it personally. I didn’t.
In fact, it made me laugh out loud. Then I took three steps back to photograph and tweet it out.
It got me thinking about all the times I take offense at the things people say.
And although words are powerful – and I’d like to think that I am careful about the words I choose – I can’t help thinking that we take far too much personally these days.
Do we step in too much to protect our children and others, thereby stripping them of their power to stand up for themselves?
Yes words have power, but I have power too – power to rise above the words used against me and what I believe to be true.
After all, who knows? Maybe that sign is a message from God to get my attention about something I need to stop. 😀
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
What do you think? Do we need to be more careful with words? Or should we learn to “shake it off?” Or is it a little of both?
talktodiana 
We should shake it off and stop censoring ourselves for fear that someone will get their panties in a wad over our words.
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😀 ! Thanks for weighing in Kerbey – You go girl! ❤
Diana xo
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I think it’s a little of both. You make a good point, and it’s funny because just a couple of weeks ago I was having this exact discussion with someone. Great minds. 😉
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That’s so cool Rachel! And you guys concluded it’s a little of both, then? Love it. ❤
Diana xo
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I do not understand what graffiti artists get from what they do as no-one sees them so they get no fame and no glory. Same as internet trolls, I suppose. Weird.
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I wonder if they get fame in their own circles Elizabeth. You will notice on this sign there’s a tag (signature) on the top. These are unique to each artist and are recognized by others in their circle. Of course I’m half-way guessing at this. ❤
Diana xo
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Well, we should be careful with the words we use and try not to offend anybody by mistake, Diana. As far as taking offense from every little thing we see here and there … unless it’s something truly racist or sexist or disgusting to whole sectors of people through and through, sometimes we’re all a bit too thin-skinned.
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Yes, I know that I’ve been too easily offended in the past Mark! ❤
Diana xo
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As have I, Diana, and I’m sure, each and every one of us! ❤
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Actually, Mark, I wish that when I was being defensive, I could leave it at that… but nooooooo, then I have to beat myself up while and after being defensive…
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Yeah, be nice to yourself, Diana. You deserve it. ;’-)
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Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!! Diana!!! ❤
Being a perpetual moderate who works at understanding both sides, I'd have to say it's a little of both. Although I do think we've gotten a bit bonkers in the past few decades about condemning and condoning and people based on their language (which is entirely about education and culture). It's easier to judge externals than to look deeper, to what people intend or are trying to communicate.
In the end, although I'm a huge word person, I've come to believe that words are always inadequate to express what who we are and what we mean, and therefore we ought to take them a bit more lightly, and laugh at ourselves a bit more.
There. So it is written. 😉
(I missed you — it's good to be back.)
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Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Tracy – it’s good to have you back! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. ❤
Diana xo
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There seems a hard-to-find line between the old “sticks and stones, but names will never hurt me” and the fact that words do have power. Perhaps the key lies in the intent behind the words.
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The way I figure it Smitty, some folks choose their words carefully – God love ’em – I try to do so as well. Some folks don’t and never will so it doesn’t hurt to grow thick skin, right? Or? ❤
Diana xo
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Yeah, I think a thick skin is a useful thing!
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I laughed at the sign. I sometimes think we are over-sensitive to words, and I never believed that “sticks and stones may break my bones” thing, because words can hurt. I found out years after the fact that my son was being bullied in middle school. He never told us while it was happening, thinking he needed to “man up” and deal with it. I respect that, but oh…that “mama bear” instinct. ( maybe he was right to keep it from us ) ☺ Van
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I never told my parents when I was bullied either Van and it took a long time for my daughter to tell me she was being bullied. I swear, Junior High is like prison! ❤
Diana xo
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Jr. high girls are 12 going on 21. Boys are 12 going on 8. There lies the problem. He was bullied by girls, his size and maturity came later.
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Jr. High girls can be so mean too, glad your son has come out the other side. 😀
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Thanks, Diana.
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Diana,
I wouldn’t take it seriously at all. Because comments like that usually come from a source that should never be taken seriously.
-Alan
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Consider the source – good point Alan! ❤
Diana xo
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Question, Diana. What does ❤ mean?
-Aan
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It’s the characters I use to make the heart emoticon. I’m guessing it doesn’t translate into that for you?
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I’m a retired Math teacher; it looked like “less than three.”
Thanks for the eye opener.
-Alan
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haha well Alan your comment is on a scale of 1-10 is >10! 😀
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❤
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I laughed 🙂 and at your post in parts too so thank you.
I know it’s right that we all have to learn to brush some things off, and speak up for ourselves…when it comes to my own children though I’m sure I was over sensitive and over protective.
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I’m pretty sure I was as well, at least sometimes. ❤
Diana xo
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Well, to be honest and to bring truth in advertising, I have to admit that…uh…I do fit the description. And I do appreciate the warning to Stop Ahead.
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Oh Don, your comment brings a smile to my face. 😀
Diana xo
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Then I have done my job.
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haha well done Don!
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Diana I would have laughed at that sign and thought, some people have way too much time on their hands. I still feel words can be so hurtful especially at school but when it comes to my kids I teach them that they must stand up for themselves and I only step in when they ask me to speak to a teacher. There will always be bullies with nasty words and so the kids must learn to brush them off with a few intelligent words.
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I sure laughed Kath. Kids and bullies, man that’s a tough one to watch your kids go through. I was bullied as a child, but when my daughter was bullied it was ten times worse – I hated that she had to go through that. ❤
Diana xo
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Yes its hard to hear but I will support them anyway I know how.
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You’re a good mom!
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I see nothing wrong with the sign some people are too sensitive and need to get over it
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Sometimes that is the case the Jo-Anne, I know that’s been true of me at times. ❤
Diana xo
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Great post Diana and important message to us all. With so much of our communication now done through social media and through technology often it is taken the wrong way. We need to be aware and conscious of what we say and I agree “not to take it so personally” :). 🙂
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Yes Karen, good point! Social media adds a whole other dimension! ❤
Diana xo
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I think we need to watch our words and not be overly sensitive. I love the photo! 😀
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Thanks April. I think you’re right! ❤
Diana xo
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YES! You said it so wonderfully I just want to remember it. 🙂
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Aww aren’t you just the sweetest Colleen – you made my day! ❤
Diana xo
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YAY!!!! 🙂
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That sign does make me laugh. I don’t take it personally. There are times, though, when people should stop and think because words have meanings and they can hurt. When someone delivers that kind of message to me personally, I try to shake it off and consider the source. 😉
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I agree Judy and I try to do the same. ❤
Diana xo
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There is sensitivity, there is over-sensitivity, there is sensitivity on behalf of others, there are principles which are meant to help the world and those used as weapons of superiority. And, there is live and let live with anybody wiling to do the same.but restrain the rest.
I suppose it’s all about finding fair balance and promoting it. Then again a sense of humour helps sometimes.
Good subject, good post :-).
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Thanks for weighing in Graham! ❤
Diana xo
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Excellent post, Diana. I especially loved: “Yes words have power, but I have power too – power to rise above the words used against me and what I believe to be true.”
Russ
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Thanks so much Russ! ❤
Diana xo
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Okay, this is too weird Diana! Not an hour ago, I was reading about – (first on Wikipedia, then on the National Geographic site) Amaranth [what we here disparagingly call Pigweed]:
In the NG piece it said “… According to the (July 2013, United Nations) report, 32.8 percent of Mexican adults are obese, compared with 31.8 percent of American adults… ” http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/08/130812-amaranth-oaxaca-mexico-obesity-puente-food/
So it’s fairly safe to assume we’re following the (apparently North American): trend and your sign painter has a 1in 3 chance of being correct. Pretty sad, isn’t it?
The thing(s) I can’t help wondering… What’s the common denominator here? Why now? Why all of us? Anyone been keeping track of this stuff since we were all told to cut dietary fat and the Great Genetic Engineering Experiment started? Never been too keen on being a lab rat, really… Answers, anyone?
Happy Easter Weekend, Diana!
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Deb, I’ve read that about GMOs and I personally think that our bodies go into starvation mode when eliminate all fat. Fat is good for us, good and natural fat that is… ❤
Diana xo
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Nice post and good eye with the photograph! I come down on the side of more than a little of both. We can put into the world what we want out of the world – love and connection with others – while at the same time knowing we control our own experience and not letting words land badly with us.
That said … your picture did get me going as well. I have a hard time accepting graffiti. What bugs me is that there seems to be a belief among graffiti “artists” (and some of them are quite talented) that the world is their canvas and that they do not recognize the property interests of others.
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Graffiti bothers a lot of people. Not me, I don’t know why, I’d probably feel differently though, if they tagged my car or something though, Ian … ❤
Diana xo
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Personally, I think this post is great, Diana! And I hope you do take that personally.
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haha Thanks Ann, you make me smile ear-to-ear! ❤
Diana xo
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