The Overkill of “Literally” Today

Dear Reader:

While riding down Johnny Dodds Avenue Thursday I saw what looked like a small mini-van with the following words on the back window.

We’re Here to Help Brighten Your Day

From the back it looked like a personal car and I was struck by such open sentiment to mankind … reminding me of Father Tim’s personal mantra “Let me be a blessing to someone today. “

As I got closer, however, I realized it was a store van with the name Bundt Cakes on the side. Admittedly it did take a little ” wow” off my enthusiasm when I thought it was an individual or family car. Still… if you have ever had a Bundt Cake-it really does brighten your day!

I “literally ” fell into some funny pictures of examples of taking signs too literally!

I plead guilty to contributing to its overuse …especially as I get older and life experiences teach me there is more gray in life than black and white.

I think in conversation we somehow think we are more believable if we start or end a statement with ” literally.”

As a writer I should know better. Joe Fridays ” Just the facts madame… just the facts.” would have a hard time cutting it in today’s ” fake news” society. Things have gotten so bad that even the old days of ” yellow journalism” look white comparatively-especially since there actually few if any real facts to back up attacks and accusations.

But if we did live in a ” literal” world…. well it could bring about some creative and figurative actions. Have fun!

So until tomorrow I can literally, actually tell you I believe this statement to be true in my soul!

“Today is my favorite day.” Winnie the Pooh

I love my friend and mentor Janet Bender-she takes giving and helping to a whole other level. She picked up shirt Bekah gave Ben to wear for a picture together-then took it home and made aprons for Bekah and Ady so they will always have a ” piece” of Ben with them . What a fantastic project of love!!!

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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1 Response to The Overkill of “Literally” Today

  1. Rachel Edwards says:

    ❤❤❤

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