Wordsmith

6 11, 2023

Choosing Words for a November Attitude

By |2023-11-05T12:22:25-06:00November 6th, 2023|Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it.” ― J.K. Rowling

I agree with J.K. Rowling. Words are magic and that magic is found in how we choose to use them.

The ability to “create meaning from words” –– wordsmithing–– is such a wonderful gift.

As a writer, I consider myself a wordsmith and I spend my days wordsmithing. I look for not just any word but the perfect word to convey my meaning. For example, when describing a character’s departure, I could say.

He left.

He stormed out.

He ambled away.

He darted away.

He wandered away.

Each sentence suggests a different departure. I make the right choice based on the contextual meaning I want to convey to my reader.

We are all wordsmiths whether we’re writers or not.

Sometimes we do not give much care to what’s written or said. If you spend much time on social media, I’m sure you’ve noticed this.

Being a wise wordsmith is a choice. And we can only control our choices, not the choices others make.

We need to make our word selections carefully. Poor or careless word choices can inflict damage both physically and emotionally.

November is all about being appreciative. Good wordsmithing promotes good gratitude.

Try these four things to improve your wordsmithing skills and help cultivate a November attitude:

  1. Filter your thoughts before you speak. Drop thoughts that might bring negative feelings or trouble.
  1. Commit to no complaints and no gossip about anything or anyone, including yourself.
  1. Choose words to express appreciation first, no matter how small, if a complaint is unavoidable.
  1. Make a concerted effort to say thank you more often. Kind words generate happy feelings in you and those to whom you are speaking.

Can you add anything else to the list?

1 05, 2017

Six Ways to Be a Better Wordsmith

By |2017-04-30T14:50:05-05:00May 1st, 2017|Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

Our ability to “create meaning from words” –– wordsmithing–– is such a wonderful gift. (In case, you’re unfamiliar with the word, it means skilled in using words.)

I agree with J.K. Rowling. Words are magic and that magic is found in how we choose to use words.

When I write, I seek not just any word but the perfect word to convey my meaning. For example, when describing a character’s departure, I could say

He left.

He stormed out.

He ambled away.

He darted away.

He wandered away.

Each sentence suggests a different departure. I select the most appropriate one based upon the contextual meaning I want to convey to my reader.

Too often, such care is not given. If you spent much time on social media, I’m sure you’ve noticed this.There’s definitely not much wordsmithing happening in some of the FB posts on my feed. Evidently, others feel the same way. Many of my FB friends have deserted because of all the negativity.

Unfortunately, being a good wordsmith is a choice. And, we can only control our choices, not the choices others make.

We do need to remember what Yehuda Berg saysPoor or careless word choices can inflict damage both physically and emotionally. Using the wrong words can be construed as bullying, harassment, and/or slander and there are laws against bullying, harassment, and slander.

We need to make our word selections carefully. How? Try these six things.

  • Filter your thoughts before you speak them. Thoughts that might bring negative feelings or trouble—eliminate those. Choose instead to use words that create serenity.
  • Commit to no complaints and no gossip about anything or anyone, including yourself. You’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel.
  • If a complaint is unavoidable, find words to express appreciation first, no matter how small that thing may seem. Positive words have the power to change a situation.
  • Communicate with constructive and affirmative words. When your speech contains optimistic phrasing, you’ll discover others are more likely to respond the same way.
  • Make a concerted effort to say thank you more often. Kind words generate happy feelings in you and those to whom you are speaking.
  • Share happy stories and good news often. When you come from a place of gratitude, others will be joyful with you.

Can you add anything else to the list?

 

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