A Spiral of Insanity?

Amazing! No two people are exactly the same. Can you believe that out of the millions of people on planet Earth, no one is the same?

I am a retired nurse; after 43 years of nursing service to the community, I was ready to hang up my hat and quit. As much as I enjoyed serving the ill I was ready to call it quits.

I am very in tune with the fact that no two individuals on our planet Earth are the same. In this 43 years of nursing, I never met two patients who were the exact same. Everyone reacts differently to medicines, side effects, issues, and so many other things in life. I have been told and I am sure that you have also heard that:

• "Diversity is what makes the world turn."
• "Diversity is what makes life interesting. "

Diversity in Communication

I have nothing against diversity in communication because if everyone was like me or you, we would not be able to stand that person for long. I would not relish living with someone like me.

I am sorry to tell you this but no one is without fault and no one is perfect. We all have our shortcomings. The side of this that really bothers me is the fact that, for example, many people these days do not seem to be able to express their dislike for something or someone without using the "F" word. The person who cannot express themselves without using the "F" word had to learn this from someone such as their parents, siblings, or peers. Who knows?

Many days I wonder where the art of meaningful communication has gone. I believe meaningful communication starts in the home with your parents and mine when I was much younger.

The art of communication carries over through the school systems, depending upon how the teacher, professor, educator learned to express themselves. There are plenty of educators who lost the art of communication and they are trying to teach our children.

Somewhere, and at some point, I believe much of society has lost this art or maybe never had the opportunity to learn meaningful communication.

As I watch the daily news we are seeing more adversity in other areas of life that makes no sense to me.

• "Why do some people feel that their life is not fulfilling unless they verbally attack another person?"
• "Why is our justice system turned upside down?

This article has nothing to do with politics or religion. My dad warned me many times to avoid these subjects unless I know that the other person is of a similar mindset.

"Try to avoid subjects associated with politics or religion, because no two people are going to fully agree and you end up in an argument. An argument gets either person nowhere."

There were never such wise words spoken.

What this article has to with, is simple "good" moral values.

• "Where have these simple and good moral values gone?"
• "What do not understand is when someone publicly rips apart another person when that person has not done a thing to them, then why does this happen?"
• "What is the reason and what fulfillment does this person get from ripping another person apart?"

Oh, sure, there are instances where things can be said for fun such as a planned roast for someone. We have had roasts within our family and this is planned and done out of great respect to the person being roasted. The roast is not meant to be mean, vindictive, or hurtful in any way.

Can you put an ill-spoken person in their place?

There are a lot of people in our world who cannot seem to communicate without using cursing, obscenity, swearing, and profanity. It is as though the person does not have a clue that how they are speaking to others may be going over the line and unappreciated to those within hearing distance. The more I hear, the less I think that person even cares.

This phenomenon seems increasing at a rapid rate. The generalized public seems to turn a deaf ear to this "new" way of communication and becoming numb to its effects.

• Does it matter to the general public anymore how people communicate?

• "Not really."

Can you take a look at an improper speech with me and what this speech consists of, such as:

• Contempt for a person
• Hate for others without provocation

I think that if you are in the company of someone who is using profanity or obscene speech and it offends you, and you do not say anything:

• "Do you not know how to defend your point of view for this wrongful and meaningless communication?"

I do not understand how someone can appeal harm or injury to another person when that person has done nothing to them. What prompts these actions and assaults on others and why? Anytime you curse someone you are essentially invoking harm to that person. For example, have you ever said,

• "Oh, just drop dead?"
• "I hope lightning strikes you dead."
• "Go to H...!"

We are in essence hoping harm comes to that person. What did that person do to deserve this kind of reaction? And even if they did something that upset you, why would you wish them dead? These are powerful statements to someone that has done nothing to you.

Rule of Thumb: "Kill Them With Kindness"

I remember plenty of what I would call injustices to me in my lifetime, both in action and verbally when I did not deserve such nonsense. It was difficult to rise above this obscene person because I was ready to strike back harder. Of course, when you take action such as this, you are no better than that person. You are in essence allowing such language and are saying:

• "Guess what, I can talk the same, just listen to me."

I would think about what my parents told me years before: "Kill them with kindness," a challenging thing to do in the wake of brutal verbal behaviors by your attacker. This statement nearly always works to defuse negative emotions.

When we return unjustified speech with kindness and use the right words, especially to those who verbally persecute you, this seems to stop further arguments because a person cannot argue with themselves.

As part of society, we must begin making a distinction between what is right and what has become such universal nature these days and is grossly wrong.

We need to forego vain, meaningless, and empty communication. We need to fill our days with a conversation that is respectful, dignified, and uplifting. I find nothing dignified in much of today's speech, especially in the media and the attacks shown to many of today's leaders.

I feel that you can still respectfully speak your mind and get your point across without all of the acting out, swearing, and cussing. You do not have to like everyone. However, you need to show some respect for the person who has done nothing to you.

Do you think it is possible for folks to forgo the profane, disrespectful, obnoxious, swearing type of conversation found in much of society today?

I say:

• "It is doubtful because people are going to continue to do and say bad things unless dissuaded from doing so. People are who and what they are and will continue to be unless they make a personal decision to change their course of behavior."

It is a sure bet that we cannot control the actions and emotions of other people, but we can make a desperate attempt to control ourselves when in the public eye.

If we continue to control our language, can we decrease the amount of anger, distaste, and hate for others so prevalent in today's society by exhibiting less violence, less lewd comments of other people, showing more compassion of others, and increased respect for our fellow man?