10 definitions not brought to you by Merriam Webster

We use words everyday to convey what we are thinking and feeling to others thru conversation, to perform our jobs, to write an email, sing in the shower, or muse slightly on the world around us in a blog on a rainy Saturday evening. They can also be used to hurt, “the pen is mightier than the sword”, or not, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”. They can be used to enlighten, “Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent."¹, or to dominate, “Words build bridges into unexplored regions.”²

We don’t use words the way they are meant to be used on a daily basis, not only in these days, but in days past. Slang is as much a part of our vernacular as the word 'the'. Now, “sick” and “the bomb” mean a good thing, and “Omg! & LOL!” is understood by just about everyone on the planet who text messages. Sometimes this SMS language is being used in everyday spoken conversation in place of the actual phrase or even an actual laugh. But we use these words the way we’ve learned them, the way we want to, all to be understood and to express ourselves.

Which lead me to start thinking about what words mean to me, how I use them, and how I interpret them to others through what I say and write? I pondered the words for not very long, as these are not words I use everyday, but they are important to me. They are words I live my life by, but their definitions for me are without the help of Merriam Webster:

1. THOUGHT – What we give to others when they need it.

2. PATIENCE – The time between the bad times and the good.

3. TEMPER – Softening the hard edges of your words and actions.

4. IMPORTANCE – Knowing the difference between being and feeling.

5. ENLIGHTENMENT – Knowing you will never know everything about everything.

6. INSIGHT – Knowing that you will never see yourself the way others can.

7. DENIAL – A safe word for insecurity.

8. INSECURITY – Not accepting you are the most beautiful person you know.

9. KARMA – How much you like you, not how much everyone else likes you.

10. LOVE – What you find when you understand the meaning of thought, patience, temper, importance, enlightenment, insight, denial, insecurity and karma.

I hope you will find the definitions to the words that describe your life. Find the good, change the bad and understand the indifferent. When you find these meanings, share them, knowledge is meant to be passed on, they aren’t called “Words of Wisdom” for nothing.

And remember what William Shakespeare said, “Hear the meaning within the word.”, then endeavor to truly do so.

~Tet~

1. Dalai Lama
2. Adolph Hitler