Speaking My Mind: The Magic of Cussing

Ever hear people say a lady would never cuss? The reply is usually something like, “Whoever accused me of being a lady?” I read about a study (it was on the internet, and we all know everything on the internet is true, right?) that said people who cuss are more intelligent and are usually more truthful than people who don’t. I’m sure this was made up by someone like me who cusses like a sailor, but these supposed facts still entertained me.

I was having a discussion with a good friend and sharing with her that, once upon a time, I would never have uttered words in the cuss words vocabulary list. But I now tell people that I cuss like a sailor but pray like a saint. When it comes down to my battle with lupus, there are days when the pain is so intense that you would think I have Tourette’s. Can I just tell you that sometimes releasing these words actually helps me?

Some folks have said I cuss too much, and in the past, I did my best to curb my language so I would not offend them. What I learned was I was not being my authentic self, and interestingly enough, it was more stress trying to come up with other ways to communicate. Not because I’m addicted to cussing, but because what I wanted to say no longer flowed. The lesson I learned from that is we all have our own coping mechanisms, and being Cussing Kellie works for me. I think that as long as you are not cussing AT people and being disrespectful, then you should be left to be you and express yourself in a way that works best for you.

I remember when my children were younger, I would tell them that cussing was for people with a limited vocabulary, that if you had to cuss it meant you were not educated enough to come up with words that would allow you to express yourself more eloquently. Needless to say, I now have a very different, less judgmental opinion of cussing.

I have now made up some interesting combinations that sometimes send my friends into fits of laughter so awesome that it brings tears to their eyes, and then I get the question, “Where do you come up with this stuff?” So, cussing provides comedy, stress relief, and it just lets me be me.  It’s not traditional stress relief, but lupus is not a traditional disease. Is there such a thing as a traditional disease or did I just make something up again? Stress is a lupus trigger, and I say if you can alleviate stress by expressing yourself, then do so. Just remember to be respectful by not targeting others with your language. Otherwise, I say get creative and let it rip. You might be surprised to find yourself laughing, feeling creative, and removing some stress.

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Note: Lupus News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Lupus News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to lupus.