{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"No Offense","description":"Take no offense. It's just that simple. Just don't. ---------------------- Years ago, my father-in-law hit a poor golf shot. It wasn\u2019t what he had intended but the ball went forward and ended up not far from the pin. He said to me, \u201cCam, that shot is called a son-in-law.\u201d \u201cOh, really?\u201d I said, \u201cWhy is that?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s called a son-in-law,\u201d he said, \u201cbecause it wasn\u2019t exactly what I had in mind but, it\u2019ll do.\u201d I have laughed at that for ten years or more. He delivered it perfectly. I remember thinking \u201cI could choose to be offended, but I\u2019m going to decide to not be offended and, instead, laugh. It was a joke. It was at my expense. I know the man likes me and, dang it, it was funny.\u201d That was the first time I realized I have the choice to be offended by things or not. Being offended or not is in my control and has always been in my control and until that day, I didn\u2019t realize that it was a decision. It was up to me. And, if you\u2019re the type of person who offends easily, realize this \u2013 you can choose to not be offended by things and, wow, how much nicer the world becomes when you make that decision. My wife tells a similar story. Her realization came at a bible study when the leader said about something controversial, \u201cI\u2019m going to choose to not be offended by it.\u201d My wife says she remembers thinking, \u201cWait a minute! You mean it\u2019s my choice to be offended or not? I have control over this?\u201d Later she told the bible study leader that one comment changed her life. Pretty cool stuff. The communication apps on my phone are buzzing as my kids are back in school and parents and teachers and coaches and administrators are struggling to find their routines and communicate with everyone about what needs to be done and which parent\u2019s turn it is to do this and that and all that. Lots of quick communications. Tons of messages. Lots of messages being repeated many times over for the ones who missed them the first time around. Lots of words flying through cyberspace without the benefit of context or the benefit of tone of voice or facial expressions to help us understand the messages which can easily be lost or completely misunderstood without those things. And in the process, some folks might interpret something incorrectly and allow themselves to be offended. Because that\u2019s what it is \u2013 they\u2019re allowing themselves to be offended. I see it daily \u2013 we all see it daily. Offence is a big part of the news cycle. Offence thrives in social media. You\u2019ll have the chance to be offended many times before this day is over. Do yourself and me and the rest of the world a favor: Choose to not be offended. Just let it go. When you feel it building up, just drop it. It\u2019s awesome. I\u2019m Cam Marston and I\u2019m just trying to Keep It Real. ","author_name":"Keepin' It Real with Cam Marston","author_url":"https:\/\/cammarston.com\/keepin-it-real-with-cam-marston\/","html":"