Marvelous Messy Words
I have a lifelong love affair with words.
Like a dragon or a pirate seeking treasure, I am always on the lookout for new ways to express a thought.
Once discovered, these glittering gems are added to my hoard, to be pulled out
judiciously,
sparingly,
at
just
the right
moment.
Because words are powerful.
Consider: Sweltering . . . blazing . . . scorching . . . tropical . . . sizzling . . . For those of you who are not at this moment in the middle of a record heat wave, the very words can make your skin prickle and glisten uncomfortably. (For those of us who are in the heat wave - we need different words!)
Consider also the plethora of expert advice on the importance of affirmation language in a relationship. https://www.mother.ly/child/try-these-10-mindful-phrases-to-effectively-praise-your-kids and https://www.verywellmind.com/words-of-affirmation-4783539
To repeat: words are powerful. Back to my dragon/pirate analogy, I need to be miserly with my words, and guard against careless or callous misuse, because words can wound, sometimes causing irreparable damage.
Examples abound, but here are just two among many:
A 2017 article noted the potential global consequences when US government agencies stopped using scientifically accurate language: “the phrase ‘climate change’ has been disappearing from government websites. [The DOE, EPA, DHHS, and DOT] have all had websites or press releases scrubbed of references to humanity’s role in rising average temperatures.” https://www.vox.com/2017/12/20/16793010/cdc-word-ban-trump-censorship-language
A January 2021 article explained that understanding the vocabulary of QAnon’s “complex conspiracy theory and its relationship to violence can help security professionals mitigate attacks inspired by this ideology.” https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/online-exclusives/2021/q-speak-the-language-of-qanon/
On the other hand, used mindfully, words can heal, or forge connections where once there was only a chasm of misunderstanding.
So here are my words for today:
Black Lives Matter.
Love is Love.
Oh, and did I mention it’s HOT here? So I’ll sign off with these words:
Cool . . . refreshing . . . balmy . . . temperate . . . breezy . . . .
Images by Nadjib BR @depthcontroller (treasure map); Tim Mossholder @timmossholder (multi-colored hands clasping)
