When Silence Speaks Louder Than Words

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After a pleasant darshan at the temple, my husband and our two young boys were relaxing under a tree. I was showing my elder son some of the temple's paintings and explaining their significance, while my husband was off with our younger one, happily people-watching. 

When I returned, I was genuinely shocked by what I had just heard. Two girls, probably around 14 or 15 years of age, entered the temple with their parents. Let's just say their attire was a topic for another discussion. They seem to be in the middle of a strange challenge. After one of them finished hanging from a tree bark, she proudly flipped her sister the middle finger. When my husband told me this, I just didn't know how to respond. My first thought was, 'Where are their parents? Did they even say anything?' He shook his head – they were right there, silent. That made me feel even worse.

It makes me wonder, when did we all start thinking that bad language and actions are somehow... cool? Do we actually believe that dropping cuss words gives us some kind of control? That throwing around "F*ck", "Sh*t", "B*tch" makes us sound more sophisticated or educated? Honestly, it just comes off as a bit sad.

I'll admit, I'm still trying to decode this Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Beta jargon. But no matter what generation you're from, let's agree: swearing isn't cool. So, who's going to step up and teach these young boys and girls that acting with class and grace is beautiful? That kindness and love aren't signs of weakness, but sources of strength? That true power lies in acceptance and inclusion, not in vulgarity?

 

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