My post today is spontaneous, and I wasn’t intending on this being my next article, but it’s a topic I feel the need to address. I promise this will not be anywhere near as long as my first post, and neither will future articles. That first post was lengthy because I was setting the stage for what this blog is about. Anyway, now that my first post is out there, I’ve been getting feedback from people, which is really awesome because it means people are actually reading my blog. I am so appreciative and grateful for those of you who are taking the time to reach out and share your opinions with me. It truly means a lot to me, so thank you!

One of the comments that I’ve heard more than once is about my use of the word “fuck.” When I posted my first article, I knew this might be somewhat controversial, especially with my more conservative and religious friends and family. My mom is one of my biggest supporters and cheerleaders, and her direct quote after reading my first blog entry was, “Read your blog. Love it! (Lots of fucking ‘fuckings’ though).”

I will admit I debated on curbing my potty mouth when I decided to start writing publicly, but, obviously, in the end, I decided “fuck that.” My main goal in creating this blog is to be authentic… 100% me. I’ve already written some pretty embarrassing shit in my first post, and I’m putting myself out there in a very personal and raw manner. So, if my intention is to be in alignment with my authentic self and speak my truth, I’m not going to censor myself.

Sure, I can make an attempt to tone down my use of the word “fuck,” and I will take that idea into consideration for future posts. However, I will not be completely eliminating curse words from my writing. This is me. This is how I speak in “real life.” This is how I express myself passionately and authentically. I understand my choice of language may turn off or alienate some of the people in my audience, and I may lose followers. Honestly, that’s okay. This blog isn’t going to be for everyone, and I am totally cool with that.

I’ve had people tell me that cursing makes me sound uneducated, and I completely disagree. If you read my first post, you already know that I am highly educated. I don’t believe education is synonymous with having to conform to speaking or behaving in a specific manner. Do I know how to be professional? Absolutely. There is a time and place for everything. Almost every career field I’ve worked in throughout my life has required me to uphold a high level of professionalism and decorum, and that included how I spoke to people.

When I was a criminal investigator, and I had to give presentations to a room full of high-ranking officials from various jurisdictions, did I throw out F bombs during my PowerPoint? No, because it wasn’t appropriate. When I was an instructor in a college classroom, did I use the word “fuck” when educating my students? Although I’m sure I might have scored brownie points for being more relatable to a classroom of primarily teenagers, the answer is no, because that would have been unprofessional. Do I curse in my current job when I’m talking to customers? Well, admittedly, sometimes yes, so I suppose this probably isn’t the best example. However, that’s only when I’ve been chatting with them long enough to establish a rapport where I know it’s acceptable.

I currently volunteer with a local charitable organization that provides assistance to law enforcement officers and firefighters who are injured or killed in the line of duty. The majority of the members are openly religious, and that’s part of the Christian values that the organization was founded on. I chose to join a pre-existing group comprised of primarily religious individuals, when I am not necessarily religious myself, because I fully believe in and support their cause, and I want to be an active contributing member. Am I going to casually or intentionally throw out the word “fuck” during volunteer meetings? Again, no, because it’s not appropriate for that environment.

However, this blog is not a professional blog, and I’m not representing an outside organization or entity. I am representing ME. This is a personal venture about me sharing my beliefs, my experiences, and my opinions in an effort to inspire others. I love the word “fuck,” so I’m going to use it when I feel called to do so in my writing.

I chose the name of my blog with a specific purpose. It’s called “Unapologetically Outspoken” for a reason. I am outspoken, and I will not apologize for what I choose to say or the manner in which I say it. So, if you choose not to follow my blog because you are offended by my choice of language, I am 100% okay with that. I respect anyone wanting to stay true to their standards and morals, just as I am choosing to remain true to mine.

And that, my friends, is the beauty of freedom, which is one of the main concepts of this blog. Freedom is about choice, and you have the choice of whether or not you want to follow me.

So, with that being said, I am wishing you all a happy Friday. My intention is to update this blog on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on how inspired I am to write and how busy I am with my real job.

If you are enjoying this blog, and you want to receive updates when I post a new article, please follow me and subscribe via email. Click on the menu at the top left and choose the “Blog” section. When you scroll down to the bottom of the “Blog” section, there should be an area stating “Get new posts delivered directly to your inbox.” Type in your email, and click the “Sign Up” button. You should get a confirmation message that the invite has been sent to your email address . If you have trouble finding it, or you are just too lazy to figure it out, send me a message with your email address, and I will add you to the list.

Unapologetically Outspoken,

Tara