Anita Agers-Brooks

International Speaker, Award-Winning Author, Business/Life Coach

  • Meet Anita
    • About Anita
    • My Abundant Purpose Statement
      • Discover Your Abundant Purpose Exercise
    • Anita Brooks’ Mission Statement
    • Anita Brooks’ Bio
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Testimonials
    • Professional Keynote and Session Speaking Topics
    • Women’s Events Keynote and Session Speaker
    • What a Certified Personality Trainer Does
      • Groups and Events Benefiting from Personality Training
      • Purposed Personality™ Parties with Anita Agers Brooks
      • Purposed Personality™ Assessments the Brooks’ Model
    • Speaker’s Kit
    • Speaking Fees
    • Event Presentation Contract Sample
  • Coaching
    • Coaching Testimonials
    • Business Coaching
    • Marriage Coaching
      • Bullet Points for a Happier Home Life
      • Budget Information and Forms
    • Interview and Employment Coaching
    • Brainstorming Guidelines — Tips from a Certified Facilitator
    • Storyboarding for Success
    • Mind Maps: Creative Freedom at Your Fingertips
  • Writing
    • Exceedingly Media Kit
    • New Book Releases
    • Anita Brooks Books
    • Publishing Credits
    • Book Clubs
    • Writing for Hire
    • Anita Brooks Copywriter
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Podcast

The Power of Profanity

Written by Anita Agers-Brooks 1 Comment

I was in sixth grade the first time I slipped.

In sixth grade, the bad kids whispered profanity from their desk when the teacher announced a pop-quiz and moved out of ear-shot. In the white-noise of our lunchroom, they shouted it behind the back of our cafeteria monitor. In the halls, an expletive timed with the slam of a locker door covered their indiscretion. It was a tool meant to create shock value — for attention. I cowered in fear and awe of their blatant disregard for authority.

By sixth grade, my mother had taught me the meaning of words matter, and I knew that cursing was just that, a curse. I’d also read the definition in the dictionary, “To show irreverence to God.” So I tried not to think, much less speak, vulgarity.

But kids being kids, some of them noticed, and started making fun of my “goody-too-shoes” speech.

I felt humiliated, and as their taunts grew, so did my shame. Then, one day in science class, our teacher stepped out. I took a deep breath, intentionally knocked my text-book on the floor, and just above a whisper, cursed.

Immediately, I cringed, waiting for the lightning strike. But nothing dramatic happened, except three of the cool kids rushed over. One of the boys slapped my shoulder, “Goody-too-shoes isn’t so good after all.” I took note of the respect tingeing his voice.

I changed that day, a level of acceptance from my peers allowed me to become one of them. Over time, cursing moved from my own attention-getting tool, into a habit I stopped noticing. It became part of who I was.

The workplace often feels like sixth grade. And I carried my ugly habit with me, until,….

Well, I’ve talked enough for one day. We’ll have to pick this up later.

Anita FreshFaith@ Work

Anita Agers-Brooks is a Business Expert, Certified Personality Trainer, Communications Specialist, speaker, and writer. She lives in Missouri.

Contact her via anitabrooks.com or anita.freshfaith@gmail.com

Psalm 109:18

New International Version (NIV)

He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Comments

  1. Karen Jordan says

    November 18, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    Big problem in the world today!!! Good word.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Anita

Anita Agers Brooks

Hi, I’m Anita Brooks, and I’m passionate about educating, inspiring, and encouraging today’s influencers. (This means you.) I help individuals and organizations tend their biggest dreams!

I’ve spent over two decades studying human personality, and how it affects everything we do. I’ve been accused of mind-reading, although I’m not truly clairvoyant. 

Professionally and personally, I solve people problems. Through motivating messages, training, and coaching, I’ll show you how to improve communication, develop stronger relationships, improve finances, and find deeper fulfillment.

Pre-Order Now

Exceedingly: Spiritual Strategies for Living on Purpose, with Purpose, and for an Abundant Purpose

My Gift to You

Books

Couples Personality Assessment
$150.00

Add to cart

Individual Personality Assessment (with certified feedback)
$50.00

Add to cart

Individual Personality Assessment (without certified feedback)
$25.00

Add to cart

C.O.D.E.
$15.00

Add to cart

60 Seconds to a Happier Marriage
$7.94

Add to cart

Getting Through What You Can't Get Over Stories Tips
Autographed Getting Through What You Can’t Get Over
$15.00

Add to cart

First Hired, Last Fired by Anita Agers Brooks
Autographed First Hired, Last Fired: How to Become Irreplaceable in Any Job Market
$15.00

Add to cart

Living Life Defined
Autographed Death Defied, Life Defined: A Miracle Man’s Memoir
$15.00

Add to cart

4×4 Habit Hangup Overhaul
$7.94

Add to cart

One Minute Intervals Foodier Healthier
$7.94

Add to cart

Listen Now

Testimonials

  • "What an inspiring speaker!!! My hope is renewed and my faith restored."
    Sandy, Illinois Women’s Conference
  • "Anita hit me right in the soul and touched beautiful places in my heart. I'm so glad I came!"
    Bridgett, Iowa Women’s Connection
  • “Dynamic. Inspiring. Expert information, researched well and presented in an engaging way.”
    Darren Dake, Founder of Death Investigation Training Academy
  • “Anita brought tears to my eyes. What an amazing opening speaker.”
    Kelly, Missouri Association of Medical Staff Services
  • “Amazing information and great approach.”
    Dana, NMSSMA State Conference
  • “I would recommend Anita to any group who works with people.”
    Joy, Roosevelt Hospital Administrator’s Conference
  • “It does this teacher’s heart good to know students can be moved to tears, inspired to share, and will talk after listening to someone speak. The teachers and administrators were equally touched.”
    Dee Dee, High School Teacher
  • “After speaking to a crowded arena with over 5,000 present in the morning, Anita Brooks drew over 600 students into a packed auditorium at ACU that night. I was blown away by the reaction of students and administrators.”
    Ryan, Abilene Christian University
  • “After hearing Anita speak, something woke up in me today. I feel alive again.”
    Chantal, Oklahoma Leadership Conference
  • “Anita is the most inspiring speaker I’ve ever heard. I feel energized, motivated, and confident that I can make a fresh start. Love the simple, yet practical ideas I came away with. I laughed. I cried. I felt understood.”
    Sherry, Arkansas Women’s Conference
  • “Inspiring message. I was captivated from Anita’s first sentence.”
    Melody, Missouri Women’s Retreat
  • “I laughed, I cried, I learned, and I took lessons home with me.”
    Betty, Leadership Conference
  • “Our ladies are still talking about Anita’s inspiring message, two weeks later.”
    Kathy, Kansas Women’s Retreat
  • “To date, Anita has been the only speaker asked to return as our conference keynote, year after year. There is no doubt that Anita Brooks is one of our absolute favorite speakers.”
    Michelle Lambeth, Executive Director, Missouri Canoe & Floaters Association
  • “Anita Brooks is hands-down one of the best relational business coaches and speakers on the market now. She has a candid ability to address difficult topics and draw out the most important lessons in such a way that inspires greatness from her audience. Her extensive knowledge into the human personality is electrifying. Her material provides you with that “light bulb” moment you wish you would have had long ago.”
    Scott Perkins, President & CEO, First Community National Bank
  • “Anita Brooks helped shape the future of my business. Her insights into the workings of the human mind are a prime tool in our management techniques. Due largely to Anita’s coaching and training with our top managers, we are a leading model for outdoor recreation companies.”
    Jack Sanborn, CEO, Adventures Unlimited, Inc. Florida

© 2021 · Anita Brooks · All Rights Reserved &middot Site Created by Spyder Web Studio