WORDS
WORDS
When you google “how many words in the English language”, multiple links pop up.
The count is anywhere from approximately 171,146 to over one million if you include technical jargon, religionisms and obsolete terms. “It’s a living language so it is always changing”, one post states.
Another says “it’s one of the most dynamic massive languages in the world and is constantly growing with new words being added everyday thanks to technology, cultural exchange, and creative minds.
The Merriam Webster dictionary includes around 470,000 words
The Oxford dictionary has over 600,000 words.
You get the point, drift, message, communication. There are A LOT Of words out there.
I find words fascinating. Whenever I start a new book, I always look up how many words make up the story. I am reading a book right now with over 600,000 words in it. I am grateful I am retired and have the time to get through the book sooner rather than later.
There are so many words that all have the same meaning. Words can tear down or build up. Words that are said with different tones can mean different things. Words can destroy a person or can make the most amazing human being. Words properly used can change the world for the good. Words improperly used can break the world.
Words can even make the impossible, possible
Words can be unforgettable. Fifty plus years later I can still hear my dad’s words:
Make a decision, if it’s wrong make another; Tomorrow never comes, it’s always today. Live in the moment; Let your conscience be your guide was the answer to, “What is my curfew time?” Talk about messing with a teenager’s brain. To this day when I am wrestling with which way to go on a decision when I don’t really want to do the right thing. I hear his voice.
I started thinking specifically about words during and after reading the book THEO IN GOLDEN written by Allen Levi. The main character is an old man who visits the small town of Golden, GA for the first time. Stopping at the local coffee shop he notices there are over 92 framed portraits done in pencil of the various people, young and old, living in Golden. After studying the faces on the walls, he sees beyond the pencil markings on the paper. He sees that everyone has a story. He decides to buy each one and bestowal them to each person in the picture. With help from the coffee store owner, Theo sends a handwritten invitation to each person to independently meet them on the bench by the fountain in the town’s very public square.
Because he sees things in each person’s portrait that no one else sees, he engages in conversation getting them to reveal their true story which always entails some sort of heartbreak, sadness, or unworthiness. He uses each conversation to build up the person making them more than just the drawing of their face. He uniquely gives each individual the gifts of self-worth, that they are valued, worthy of love and are enough. When they look at their portrait after speaking with Theo, they begin to see they possess these gifts in themselves.
What a magnificent place it would be if we all lived each day like Theo. By simply using words to build each other up; people we know as well as strangers and even people we find difficult to like. How fun it would be to watch faces change to happiness, acceptance and joy because of a few uplifting kind words that are given to another person every day.
With as many people we each come into contact with on a daily basis, think about how many individuals you can give the free gift of positive words!
Here is to everyone being worthy, loved and valued and accepted.
Until Next Sunday.
Kathy