If you aren’t there to hear it, who cares what words I use? Honey…just because I do not hear the slurs from the horses mouth, does not mean I will hear what you said somehow else.

They’re just words! Thoughts lead to words, words lead to actions, actions lead to habits, habits lead to examples, examples are then other peoples thoughts of what is okay.

Why would anyone want to read after school? A well rounded vocabulary is evident of one who has chosen to broaden their horizons through continual study and learning.

Hello once again my beloved readers!

My deposit to the public eye today is another post where I might be able to talk about a few examples of when words actually have power and some of my experience when it comes to one’s vocabulary.

I grew up with books, I was read to a lot and had my favorites. My memory was good enough with the words and the pictures that I would know when mom/dad was on the wrong page…or I would be in charge of turning the page while they read. I got really good at that. I also began reading at a younger age and have always been able to read at a higher level than most of my classmates (who I was younger than by the way).

This gave me such a great blessing of living lives that I was not able to live in the world now. From mermaids, to elves and rangers, pilots, cats, bears and assassins and much more. I have been able to enjoy many stories in my lifetime, some many times over. That only really began my journey with reading and absorbing knowledge.

When it came to reading school books…my interest dwindled and I really only ever wanted to read if it was to read for fun. I was good enough that I would probably be in the middle of about 5 books at a time. One at school, one in the car (after I grew out of getting car sick all the time), and easily a couple at home. I was more than happy to just pick up my book and get lost in it’s world.

My vocabulary greatly increased with this insane habit that many kids thought was funny, mostly kids in high school really. I was voted biggest bookworm in my graduating class. My knowledge/memory of various realms of some popular books and some less popular ones was pretty good! Still is in many instances as I appreciate that.

My memory in general is something that I have always been proud of. My mom has said a time or two, “full of useless knowledge,” but it never is because it does have value when the time calls for someone to have the knowledge that I just so happen to have (many a time has this “useless knowledge” helped my mother).

That brings me to words in general.

Words have meaning, and many words’ meaning changes based on context, tense and placement of said vocabulary. The appropriateness of the term or topic of conversation also is based on context…more related to the time, place or present company. A few come to mind…weird, gay, f*g, no homo, and unfortunately we still face the R word as a society today and these are mainly the ones that stick out to me a lot. Some more obvious reasons and more commonly during the month of June.

The word weird…I cannot really say when it happened to click for me that the term weird…is often more negative in my mind than it ever has been positive or even just a word to exclaim differences. Weird is a word where I feel is one that is used to describe something/someone that not only to you not like said person/action/thing; but you are also going to exclaim to everyone within earshot that your opinion is to be heard and hopefully agreed with.

I personally choose to select my terms more carefully, I choose to do my best to use the term different, unique or curious…when I am feeling sassy I may use the phrase, “that’s a choice.” It is rare that I use that phrase in the greatest of contexts. My decision to actively choose words that are still expressing my opinion to describe someone or someone’s habits/actions/items still is able to preserve the image that has been there before. It chooses to not invalidate someone else’s opinion but is still able to open the door for further discussion as well or inquiry to learn more.

I have always been a learner so my ability to show interest in someone’s interest, passions or whatever it may be, has always been an easier path for me to take. I do not regret really any of those moments where I have been able to learn more about my friends and/or family. I am always and choose to do my best to always bee a learner.

Slurs, specifically homophobic ones are a clear boundary where I say there really is no place for any of them. I am guilty of using them and yes in instances where the slurs were clearly not appreciated in any way. Though I have been called these same slurs at times and in locations where one would not expect them to be used and by people I at one time had respected/trusted enough that I had thought that they did not see me in that way.

Clearly I was wrong.

Coming from strangers in passing, directed to me or not, I can usually shrug them off…harder when they are towards me or the passing is slow and the paths are crossed. I have on very few occasions, actually said something to put ignorance in their place. I have also cut individuals from my life because of things that they have said or done as I have increasingly grown a smaller tolerance for individuals who choose to build themselves up by putting others down.

I will not really address the R word here too much beyond the fact that there is nobody in the world that should ever use that word. I have family who have been called that or referenced to with that word and I have nearly clocked the individuals who did use that word. I have some restraint and those who know me well, not only do I have a way with words, but I get that look and work my words into such eloquent whips to set individuals who are easily 3 times my size in their place.

I have never felt that I have been the best with my words though I have my shining moments where I do find pride in the chaos or order that I have caused. Yes, I did say chaos…admittedly I have been one to cause a bit of chaos to see it happen as I would clearly have the ability to stir up in the right way what needed to happen for action to be taken to result in that which is inevitable…just a little sooner than would have happened without interference.

For those of you who have been around a while and read my first post and my About Me page…know that I can weave my words into quite the beautiful collection. Both those articles had many drafts, and took about 4 years to write though in the grand scheme of things…probably about 12 hours each to put together if everything was tracked just by the time spent writing them.

I have felt, though it may not seem that way, that my posts have been less eloquent and more just random ass thoughts that go through my head, no matter how shit they may be at the time. For those few of you who do read my posts, thank you so very much and I am always open to discuss things, I am an open book for questions if you feel you have one that you would like me to address in future posts.

I know that my words have power

I know my words have meaning

I know my words are worth their weight in gold for I cannot retract the spoken word.

I encourage everyone out there in the world, starting with you my lovely readers, to spend some time each day learning about something you love. Share that with others if you can, cherish it and I know that application may not show up and you may feel that you have now gained a bit more, “useless knowledge,” but I promise you that your knowledge will stick with you. Especially the information that you actively search out out of interest.

Choose your words carefully, be present where you are and you will find that you will be able to contribute more than if you were half-assing your time there. Value your time more than anything else and make your time yours and use your time as you see fit. Strive towards that perfection that you seek and you will be able to be successful at perfectly striving to be better each and every day.

How can I expand my vocabulary/feel more confident with my words? Two questions in one can have the same answer though slightly modified. The answer is read/educate yourself (books, articles, blogs, patterns etc…) find what you like and learn. If you must read…read aloud. You can also practice in private or, if possible, take your new learning and apply it in a more public setting where you could be alone…but still seen if someone would take an interest in you.

What if I hate reading? Videos exist and goodness the amount of things I have learned from video streaming services has been phenomenal.

What if I don’t change the world? To be honest…most people don’t…on the global scale they may not. But you can change your sliver of the world. You may just even change the sliver of the world that you are not the main character…everyone is their own main character and you may be that person that might just change their world.