If these past months of COVID-enforced semi-isolation have done anything, they鈥檝e created in me an addiction to crossword puzzles. And, if doing crossword puzzles has reminded me of anything, it鈥檚 that words have various functions. (I鈥檝e also gained a new understanding of why the English language is considered one of the most challenging in the world.)Noun? Verb? Adjective? All potential uses for one word. Then, there are those not-so-common definitions for words I鈥檇 never heard of before. Oxeye, it鈥檚 a daisy-like blossom and cyma, the answer that fit in the puzzle I was doing means ogee, 鈥渁n S-shaped curve formed by the union of a concave line and a convex line.鈥� See what I mean? But those are just a couple of examples.
For all my working life, I used words to create income. As a researcher, writer of feasibility studies, author of two history books, writer of background material for a U.S. company, motivational speaker and more, choosing the right word was not just important, it was vital. Decisions were made, life challenges affected, readership created or discarded or investing influenced, all shaped in part by my words. What a huge responsibility and I felt it!
But what about every day words used in routine telephone conversations, neighbourhood greetings, electronic messaging et al? Here鈥檚 how Robin Sharma summed it up: 鈥淲ords can inspire. And words can destroy. Choose yours well.鈥�
During these months of COVID-induced isolation and daily doses of COVID status, we fluctuate from hanging on to every word to shutting off the news. We鈥檝e even become rightfully leery of what we believe is true and what isn鈥檛.
Thankfully He is utterly trustworthy!
鈥淭he聽Lord聽himself goes before聽you聽and will be with聽you; he will聽never聽leave聽you聽nor聽forsake聽you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.鈥� (Deuteronomy 31:8)
