Just a few short months ago I blogged about the “foul mouth;” an unfortunate perception of home for many local residents. Since the post I have had many discussions in passing that have validated the symbolic phrase. Personally, I have found myself more often noticing the positive events and actions taken in our community since writing that blog in March. I also attended a public community forum on Memorial Day weekend. Many presentations were made regarding forward-thinking projects that should – and may actually – come to fruition.

The “foul mouth” is real. And we need – and can – change our actions. We’ve all had our mouth washed out with soap at some point in our lives. If not, you’re fortunate, I guess. Yet, anyone out there who has had the pleasure of sinking your teeth into a chalky bar of Irish Spring knows that it taught you something. It taught you to think about what and why you said such a thing to cause this disgusting (and somewhat ridiculous) situation in the first place.

Similar, but not as gross, to the ole’ “wash out your mouth with soap” fix by parents throughout history, I have an ask of you. Let’s teach ourselves to speak (and think) differently about our home. Let’s counteract our negativity with forward-thinking ideas, actions, research, beautification and/or discussions about the future of Falmouth and Pendleton County. I always love when an organization or company tries to be hip and throws out a hashtag to launch a campaign. Yet, if used properly, it is an excellent way to organize posts for feedback, exposure and encompassing an event or project. So, what the hay? If you find yourself, or someone else, doing or saying something to truly IMPROVE the place that we call home, share it and use “#FoulMouthWash” to signify that we’re ridding the community of that state of mind, and we’re moving in a direction that fosters change.

We know there are good things happening every day. Yet, sometimes the bad overshadows the good, because it can be easy to be negative. With a little soap (or a fancy hashtag), we too can turn ourselves to the right state of mind and move Falmouth forward.

#FoulMouthWash