A change of tongue

Each country has its own 'thing.' In more ways then one. This includes the manner of speech we use for our daily conversations and interactions.

South Africans have a particular word which we use for everything!
It is the word "Shame."
Your car broke down? Shame man!
Your dog died? Ah shame!
You got caught in a rain storm and now your hair is wet before your big interview? Ah no, shame!
Mandela is in the hospital! "Gasp! Shame!"
Your broke your toe? "Shame pumpkin!"

I am sure you get my drift.... the shame list is endless. 
A friend of mine who is in ministry recently pointed out this 'shame' reality to me. She began by asking what does the word shame actually mean?

Shame is defined by the dictionary as; a painful emotion caused by awareness of having done something dishonorable  or foolish. Disgrace. To be shame faced. Dishonoured. Humiliated or defiled.

Wow! When I began to realise the depth of the meaning of this word. I began to question myself and the use of the word shame. Why do we use it so often and so flippantly. Why do we tell others that they need to feel shame in simple things? Why do we express ourselves through the use of the word shame?
Well, I dont have the answers but I sure know that I am stepping back and stepping out of the boat. There will be no more use for the word shame in my life because I will not use it anymore. My journey to rid myself of this 'shame' talk is hard. This small but loaded word is in built in to the tongues of South Africans, but let us denounce it! Undo it and discard it. 
We are a nation whose past has been marred by shame, let us make our everyday speech joyful and uplifted.. let us steer ourselves away from shame and all it means.....