I HAVE THE FEELINGS OF THIS TOPIC, BUT NOT YET THE VERBIAGE

An accidental occurrence while undergoing the process of reinventing myself back in March was the expansion of my vocabulary, and the development of a different way of speaking. I am still not quite sure when, why, or how it all started, but I know for a fact that I did not use the words that I now say on a daily basis. The word "perhaps" comes into mind-- I find it to be a better version of "maybe." 

I have fallen madly in love with words. Verbiage. Vocabulary. Everyday, I seek the 64-pack of words with a sharpener in the back. I love the weight that certain words have compared to others, and their ever-changing definitions (such as the word "slay"). I am so enamored by words that I have started to keep track of words I would like to use more in my everyday life. Of course, I accompany each word with their definition!

The dilemma I do face with this newfound love for words, is that, I now struggle to find the right words. I discuss a lot about this situation with my friend, Dominic, who himself is a wordsmith. While helping a friend with a piece of writing, he told him, 

"I have the feelings of this topic, but not yet the verbiage."

Certain words just aren't powerful enough to express what we want to express. We are not taking advantage of the whole dictionary in our everyday lives. Instead of "asking," try "inquiring." Instead of "popular," try "ubiquitous." 

Even cooler than words themselves are metaphors-- the use of words to transform complex thoughts into concise ideas. This is something I am looking more into, as it is even more incredible how metaphors can encapsulate concepts that call for explanations. For example, during a virtual meeting, someone's camera looked blocky. One of the people in the meeting said,

"Your video is looking like an abstract painting. I think it may have something to do with your [wi-fi] connection."

What a beautiful way of saying, "your camera quality looks terrible!" I have not stopped thinking about that metaphor since hearing it.

Back to words-- blogging is my favorite exercise for expanding my vocabulary, which is why I try to write as often as I possibly can. Something something "practice makes perfect," as they say. Maybe it will prevent me from thinking, "I have the feelings of this topic, but not yet the verbiage."