There were several times, throughout the hours of the day yesterday — during which I went to (1) work (as an individual and group therapist at a major Boston teaching hospital), (2) cardiac rehab, and (3) some normal Wednesday evening locations with my boyfriend Michael (including a Mexican restaurant, a pet store with an adoption center, and a Whole Foods Market) — when somebody said, in the course of conversation, “What is the word for that?”
Wow! How many words are there in that very wordy first sentence/paragraph? Over 70, but that’s a number, not a word.
Sometimes it IS difficult to find the right word, no matter what the length of the sentence or how good your memory or language skills are.
Speaking of the right word, are certain words right or wrong? Two words I prefer to use — rather than right or wrong — are “helpful” or “unhelpful.”
Here are some unhelpful words I have known:
- Broken
- Hopeless
- Stupid
- Ugly
- Unlovable
- Useless
- Weird
- Worthless
- Wrong
And here are some helpful words I have known:
- Breathe!
- Creative
- Flexible
- Healing
- Helpful
- Hope
- Open
- Thanks
There are a kashmillion unhelpful and helpful words, but I’d like to keep today’s post word count under 300.
Why? Because
Wait! For the purposes of this post, I want to replace “You’re” with “I’m” in that sentence. That’s right, I’m the Boss of this Blog!
Word to my readers: what words come to your mind as you look at each of these photos I took yesterday (which are, in a word, chronological)?
Speaking of the word “favorite,” here are The Beatles, with their ideas about The Word:
(“The Word” by the Beatles is here on YouTube, by my word.)
Thanks to Carla, Danise & Kathy and to those who are wordless and who use words (which, in a word, includes YOU).
Cheerful, cheeky, adorable, funny, cute, curious … and that’s before I get to the animals!
The missing word for me….
love 🙂
And love was in the song, Val! No matter what, I’m so glad you provided The Word (and all the other words of your comment).
Ok — so I missed that word too! 🙂 (I can never remember how to put the heart emoticon in!)
I am so glad I am not a crazy cat lady — I would take everyone of those cutie-pies home.
Oh — and did you have a stress-test?
Hope it went well and you passed and are feeling all destressed!
I can never remember emoticons either, Louise. And I am so glad you are exactly who you are. I am doing exercises/stress tests over the next six weeks — at “cardiac rehab” — to get more data on how my heart is doing. Thanks for those precious words “hope” “well” and “passed” (which I think I may be doing with these tests).
Your usual entertaining ramble from A-Z with detours.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
My favorite words in your wonderful comment, David: “entertaining” and “Hugs.” Thank you for every word.
Oh, the animals. Always heartbreaking to me. I want to take them all home, but I already have a dog plus a roommate with a dog. No more animals for us.
Regarding the negative words, I was in a workshop yesterday and one of the people I was partnered with began using negative words about himself. I stopped him and asked him to listen to what he was saying. Then the other person began with the same negative self talk! By the time our little group had split up, we had spent a lot of time working on not doing the negative, or at the least, noticing when we do and backing off and changing our words.
By the way, the workshop was Soul Collage. Do you know it? I am LOVING it! I went to my second workshop yesterday.
I’m LOVING the sound of that workshop, Emilie! Today is the first time I’m hearing about it. How wonderful that you are participating in something that soulful and healing.
Looks like a very well-run adoption center there, Ann. I’d love to bring some of those cats home for Chanukah….
My word in response to this comment, Maureen, is “gift.” A cat from a shelter would be a great Chanukah gift. Your comments are always a gift here.
My thought was: My word! I’m at a loss for one word! Our dear Ann, the boss gives herself 300 words and 32 pictures. If a picture’s worth a thousand words … You’re one in 32,300, my friend.
My word is Magnificent.
You’re one in a million, Magnificant Mark.
I’m unable to chronically list, but if I could summarize, my word would be, ownership. The usage of “I” to define my feelings, not as a means of selfishness, but, selflessness. Belonging in the group of those in acceptance of the challenge, whatever it might be.
Looking at the first picture helped to capture the spirit of what I hope to convey: “here I am stuck in traffic, but I am among others accepting this challenge” and realizing the unity of our ownership allows us the freedom to be who we are. Free to be, and simply because we care enough to live down the fear and grow within our being.
When we own who we are we are tolerant of others, accepting our differences as pluses rather than minuses. It’s like walking into this room each evening and knowing the safety within. Surely you view us as a course of study,and we engage ourselves willingly because we feel the freedom to own our truth.
I am inspired by this comment to take ownership, too. When I first read your phrase “Surely you view us as a course of study,” I thought: that doesn’t match how I experience this. But then, your thought-provoking words caused me to realize this: I do view people as a course of study similarly to how I view myself (and everything else in life) that way: as wonderful opportunities to learn and grow. Thank you, so much, for helping me learn and grow in this room, tonight.
Thank you, Anne, for being you.
I vicariously learn, thru friends and acquaintances, daily. They are my life source, resource. 💖
I love words and as a Hilary, I’m pleased to find I share something with healing, helpful and hope. Love the Beatles too.
Love all your words, Hilary!
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