And Still Another One on Words (a mini-post with an excerpt) December 17, 2024

Many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone using words that cultivate kindness, friendship, peace, freedom, understanding, gratitude, and wisdom.

May you be safe and protected / May you be peaceful and happy / May you be healthy and strong! May you be nourished!

“Composition is a discipline; it forces us to think. If you want to ‘get in touch with your feelings,’ fine—talk to yourself; we all do. But, if you want to communicate with another thinking human being, get in touch with your thoughts. Put them in order; give them a purpose; use them to persuade, to instruct, to discover, to seduce. The secret way to do this is to write it down and then cut out the confusing parts.”

— William Safire

Words are powerful. They can spread or travel like a living, breathing thing. They can bring us together; they can tear us apart; and they can change the world. For that matter, they can build the world and determine how we see the world.

Since William Safire was born today in 1929, this is a day when I like to focus on words and the power of words. Also, around this time every year, the major (English) dictionaries reveal the words that have made up our zeitgeist. Back in 2022, I was going to write a sentence featuring the words of the year, but the results were so disturbing that I just listed the words.

This year, I am continuing the listing precedent. However, you can comment below if you come up with a Spelling Bee worthy sentence that’s not disturbing for this year and/or using the words from 2022.

Click on the excerpt title below for a post that references the power of words (and one of the 2022 words).

Having A Say & FTWMI: The Power of Being Seen & Heard (the “missing” Tuesday post)

“polarization” “brain rot” “manifest” “demure”

— 2024 Word of the Year from Merriam-Webster, Oxford, Cambridge, and dictionary.com, respectively

Please join me today (Tuesday, December 17^th) at 12:00 PM or 7:15 PM for a yoga practice on Zoom. You can use the link from the “Class Schedules” calendar if you run into any problems checking into the class. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or by emailing myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.

Tuesday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “07112020 An Introduction”]

If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.

White Flag is a new app, which I have not yet researched, but which may be helpful if you need peer-to-peer (non-professional) support.

If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgement-free place to talk, you can also click here to contact the TrevorLifeline (which is staffed 24/7 with trained counselors).

In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es). Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.)

I will offering in-person classes during January 2025. Click here for more details and to reserve your spots now. Let’s start the 2025 together!

### USE YOUR WORDS ###