Choice Words

“People with self respect exhibit a certain toughness, a kind of moral nerve; they display what was once called character… character—the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life.” Joan Didion

I like this quote by Joan Didion. Her brilliance continues to inspire. If we break it down, what exactly do the words moral nerve mean? An understanding of right and wrong behavior or upheld respect for good character and disdain for bad character? A righteous or virtuous human? Or an essence radiating with a virtuous vibration.

Words have meaning and they have vibrations and energy. In my own practice and teachings this reminder towards “choice words” is important. I have found that over time I intuitively modified my words. Not just making changes and updates, but eliminating words too.

Words craft and support our actions. Actions exhibit moral code. Or vise versa. Sometimes actions take place first and our words describe the context of the actions.

Words can crush, deplete and destroy? Maybe when put into context, like sarcasm. My expereince with sarcasm is, it’s clever, sometimes funny, but mostly it’s destructive. Some people who I have met over the years use sarcasm to mask pain and are quietly self loathing. The Greek original word for sarcasm is “sarkasmos” which is taken from the word “sarkazein” meaning “to tear flesh, bite the lip of rage, sneer.”

The nice thing about words is we get to choose what words we use. Some people are absolute craftsmen at word play and word choice. I am inspired by these individuals who can express brilliant thoughts and ideas through choice words, like Joan Didion.

What words do you use a lot? Keep note of them. I have lists of words that I love and that represent me and my thoughts and actions. I repeat certain words to myself in meditation, as a daily practice. Often to inspire my deeper self, my subconscious and my spiritual walk.

Talese