"No matter what anyone tells you, words and ideas can change the world." Robin Williams Dead Poet's Society
Words: we live our lives in them, through them. I think about some of the most powerful, influential moments of my life and of others'...words are a central feature -- they are often the vehicle for the emotions that stick with us. Words have the power to change, fuel, connect or destroy us. Awareness of language, how we use it, how it's used at us are inquisitions that drive my approach the world.
Even though the agenda and objectives are on my board daily, I'll occasionally field the question of, "What are we going to do today Ms. Nolan?" When I respond with "Ohh, you know, some stuff...followed by some things...and then maybe a little more stuff," without fail, frustration ensues. Some teachers refer to the words like "stuff" and "things" as dead words indicating to their students that they are no longer permitted to use them in their writing. The words are empty, vague and can frustrate the reader because the writer hasn't take the time to specify what they are talking about so coincidentally the paper loses focus and intention.
My new year's resolution is to blog a word a day stemming from the desire to live life intentionally and reflectively; I don't want to lose focus. I'll practice what I preach and avoid the vague and empty words and instead hope to find my way towards those that truly capture the weight of the day. At the end of a year, I'll have a time-line of language.
Words: we live our lives in them, through them. I think about some of the most powerful, influential moments of my life and of others'...words are a central feature -- they are often the vehicle for the emotions that stick with us. Words have the power to change, fuel, connect or destroy us. Awareness of language, how we use it, how it's used at us are inquisitions that drive my approach the world.
Even though the agenda and objectives are on my board daily, I'll occasionally field the question of, "What are we going to do today Ms. Nolan?" When I respond with "Ohh, you know, some stuff...followed by some things...and then maybe a little more stuff," without fail, frustration ensues. Some teachers refer to the words like "stuff" and "things" as dead words indicating to their students that they are no longer permitted to use them in their writing. The words are empty, vague and can frustrate the reader because the writer hasn't take the time to specify what they are talking about so coincidentally the paper loses focus and intention.
My new year's resolution is to blog a word a day stemming from the desire to live life intentionally and reflectively; I don't want to lose focus. I'll practice what I preach and avoid the vague and empty words and instead hope to find my way towards those that truly capture the weight of the day. At the end of a year, I'll have a time-line of language.
