No offense be like a kidney

Kidneys filter a lot of filth from what we feed our bodies. It is also our kidneys job to clean and return our blood back to our heart. For the most part, our kidneys are able to clean anything we feed our bodies. Hopefully, yours functions well and doesn't prevent you from doing certain activities or restrict your diet.

Why all the kidney talk?

My besties' husband made some sort of comparison to kidneys and challenged us to be more like kidneys. Similar to the saying, turn the other cheek. Are you familiar with that saying? If not, this phrase is often used by Christians to go the extra mile for people we would rather not. More so, its about not seeking revenge. At least I think that’s what he meant with the kidney story.

I zoned out for a bit while he was rambling because I started thinking about all the people that say, “no offense Kubby.”

The no offense, I’m about to offend you approach.

• I know you find cursing offensive or whatever, but no offense insert curse word here.
• I know you asked not to have sexual pictures, stories, or comments, but no offense insert highly sexual whatever here.

The list goes on and I should be grateful they warn before offending shouldn’t I? I shouldn’t be offended if the statement wasn’t made directly at me. My reaction or the lack thereof is a reflection of maturity, right? Likewise, my reaction or the lack thereof is a reflection of how often I’ve become accustomed to such treatments.

I shouldn’t be offended if they say it while we are in public. I shouldn’t be offended if coworkers say it in a meeting. I shouldn’t even be offended if my guest say it in my own home. After all, these are my friends, co-workers, accuntainces. They respect my request and when they don't that should be okay, right? I should take it silently like a slap in the rear. Like a slap in the face. Like a functioning kidney being feed the worst.

Expectations

How can I expect someone to not scream profanity in a church? How can I expect someone not to scream bomb in an airport; even if it’s a joke? How can I expect people to respect the people, the places, and their surrounding?

Maybe it is a lack of understanding on my part. Maybe it is a lack of flexibility. There is a saying, if you can't beat them join them. There is also another one that says, be the change you want to see in the world. Then there are those that stand in the middle, with all the apologizes.

Apologizes

Sometimes apologies come in advance or after guilt. They usually start or end with “no offense Kubby.” That only should be enough to heal the wound. Or prevent a wound in the first place, which I think is there intent. Let’s also suggest distance between the two parties. If you offend far enough, it should lesson the blow, right? Again, don’t forget to apologize. The pain may not subsided. The embracement will eventually end and be forgotten. Eventually it becomes the running joke.

What say you about it all?

Are you easily offended? Have you learned to be less so? Are there certain topics/comments/remarks that upset you?