Sometimes words are elusive. They are always somewhere to be found, but words can be hard.
Ever have a conversation with someone and all of a sudden you cannot remember a word for something? Or sometimes you just cannot recall a name? It’s like the words are just simply gone.
This is much harder in person and live then it is when you are writing. Still, more than once I was typing out a thought and the word I wanted just wouldn’t come to me.
This can be frustrating, in particular when you are trying to get your point across and there are multiple options.
Take happy, for instance. Sometimes it’s too big and bright, so you need a word like content, pleased, or good. Other times it’s not big enough, so you need a word like joyous, ecstatic, or effusive.
There are always multiple choices for words to be used, which can make finding them even more elusive from time to time.
And, of course, there are times when the right words just will not come.
Words matter
Some people will tell you that actions speak louder than words. While this can be true, that doesn’t lessen the fact that the words matter.
What you say, whether spoken or written, can have a huge impact on the world around you. For good or ill, words and how you choose to use them can be massively consequential.
President Trump seldom guards his words, for example. He both says AND writes whatever is on his mind (and since it’s pretty clear there are no consequences, why not?) But at the same time, this is a pretty terrible example. There ARE consequences for the words you choose, just like there are consequences for your actions.
Some people, thus, choose to make use of words that they think fit, without seeing if they really do belong.
Why do words matter? Because they reflect who you are. They show to the world how you are thinking and feeling, express your ideas, notions, biases, and more.
Nobody but you is inside your own head. Sometimes expressing what is going on in there is complicated and hard to do. Your own thoughts and feelings may not be easily put into words, as words might not fully relay the depth of your inner self.
It’s like translating words from other languages to English. Some words in-and-of-themselves have multiple meanings, like “Shalom” in Hebrew means hello, goodbye, and peace. Other words do not fully translate into English in the sum total of their meaning, such as the Japanese word “Yugen,” which is the mysterious, deep emotions triggered by awareness of the unspeakable immenseness of the Universe and all contained within it.
This is why the words you use, spoken or written, matter.
How do you find elusive words?
Sometimes you improvise, but this can be problematic. Improvising words can lead to making mistakes with what you say and how you say it. Many conflicts have been the result of a poor choice of words, after all.
Other times, you might just need to pause to work it out. Writing or speaking, there is something to be said for slowing down, taking the time and making the effort to get it right.
That, of course, isn’t always practical. Which means sometimes you need to just admit the words are eluding you. “I want to say…that thing…about the thing…but the word is escaping me,” may be a fair thing to sing, in order to express that the words are not present.
Just keep in mind, the words elude EVERYONE from time to time. Something unexpected happens, good or bad, that throws you off. You just lose the ability to find words because you are sleepy, or distracted, or otherwise unprepared. And there are times the words just have left you for no rhyme or reason.
Whatever the case, you can always find the words. But sometimes you need to amend what you say now later on. Timing is utterly unpredictable when the words elude you.
For the love of words
I love words. They can have so many meanings and be so varied. It never ceases to amaze me how powerful and empowering the can be.
I know that many disagree with this notion. To some people words are hard, writing them is challenging, and they can be infuriating. Words can be weapons in some people’s mouths (or fingertips). The right words can be elusive to some, and on the other side knowing the meaning of complicated words is equally elusive.
Whatever the case may be, words are how you and I can share ideas, feelings, concepts, notions, and everything between us. Even when they elude us, they can be found in some way or another.
I appreciate you for letting me share my words with you.
Thank you for taking part in my ongoing journey. Thank you for joining me, and for inspiring me and my words.
This is the forty-sixth article exploring the creative process. Please take a moment to check out the collection of my published works, which can be found here.
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