Words Can Bring Joy, Peace, Awe, and . . . Inspiration

My friend Joe Kopp took the photo to your right. It's beautiful, huh? Here's what he said with the photo post on Facebook,"I've found a passion in photography. Bob Ross said, 'Look around. Look at what we have. Beauty is everywhere—you only have to look to see it.'" And Joe plans to post one photo of his every day in February to share a small moment of joy, peace, or awe with his friends and family.

I didn't have a topic for my blog day yet when I saw this pop up in my newsfeed; and this photo was so beautiful, I told him: "I'm going to use your photo as some kind of inspiration for my blog post on WOW! this week"

But really, it is not his photo that inspired me today, it is his words.

As writers, we have the power to share a small moment of joy, peace, or awe with our connections every day, week, or month of the year--whether it's through a Facebook status, a tweet or a blog post--you are in control of the message you're putting out in the world. And currently, with all the negativity floating around, that really is a very powerful and precious gift we've been given.
The wonderful thing about being a writer today is that you don't have to wait to get your book published or for a magazine to accept your piece to have readers. We have readers at our fingertips within seconds of "publishing" our words. How are we choosing to use these outlets to share our writing talent? Are we providing moments of joy, peace, or awe?

Whenever I write posts like these, I always feel the need to say that I'm not perfect at the action I'm trying to convince you to take or consider--and here I am saying it again with this post. I don't always think about my message before I post. Although in the middle of writing this post, I'm also literally realizing the great opportunity we have every single day to touch the lives of people with our words; a lot of the time these are people we know, love, and care about. From this day on, I plan to take these opportunities more seriously, and I will add something to Joe's list of small moments.

I want to add inspiration. I hope my words can inspire people to improve their lives, to do something kind that day, or to create words of their own. Joe's words and photo did inspire me! I want to do the same.

May you see, read, or write something today that brings you a small moment of joy, peace, awe, or inspiration.

Margo L. Dill is an author, editor, blogger, and teacher, living in St. Louis, MO. You can find out more about her at http://www.margoldill.com. Her next WOW! online class, Writing a Novel with a Writing Coach, starts tomorrow, Feb. 3. Check that out here.

Beach photo: 2008 near Seaside Florida by Joe Kopp (http://www.joekoppart.com)

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4 comments Inspiration, Margo L. Dill, Power of Words, social media

It’s a Words World

Photo | EKHumphrey

For my editing, I generally use the Merriam-Webster’s or the American Heritage online dictionaries. My books collect more dust than they used to, which means I spend less time distracted by perusing nearby entries. My rate for learning new words has plummeted.

A few months ago, I bought myself a calendar with a word for each day. I hadn’t owned one in several years and this one became lost in a sock drawer until well into January, but that’s for another post.

In addition to writing, I figured I might find the calendar useful to challenge, in the words of the fictional detective Hercule Poirot, the “little gray cells.” (Granted, many online dictionaries provide some way to push out a word per day, but I like the tactile experience of a page to rip off.)

Without any space to write down appointments or accomplishments, I enjoy the daily calendar as a way to mark the passage of time and I’ve saved many of the words I’ve torn off. I keep a stack on my desk. When I have time, I flip through and try to learn some unfamiliar words, such as calenture, moiety and nyctalopia. I position the calendar where I can easily see it and I look forward to the task each day.

It is a gentle reminder to keep learning, while giving me a different challenge than writing, researching or reading gives. And, although there is no vocabulary quiz each week as happened in elementary school, I like to try to keep my word muscles exercising and stretching.

You never know when you’ll get to use trichotillomania (an abnormal desire to pull out one’s hair) in a sentence. Knowing how unique puissant is compared to power and potent, even though they share a common Latin parentage, can help when choosing the perfect word.

With the tens of thousands of words we learn as we grow, I’ve been amazed at how many words and definitions I’ve forgotten, misused or stopped using through the years.

As a writer, I know that words are my business. The calendar reminds me of that each and every day.

Do you try to keep your vocabulary growing? If so, how do you do it?

Elizabeth King Humphrey is a writer and editor. Her The Feminist Movement Today (Mason Crest, 2013) was recently selected for the Amelia Bloomer List.

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3 comments calendars, Elizabeth King Humphrey, Power of Words, word choice

Trading, Borrowing...and Learning Words

During my youth, I enjoyed completing crosswords. It is something I was certain I would continue into adulthood. But with kids and running from place to place, I'm not finding a lot of time to sit around and ponder letter and words to fit into the tiny squares. I continue to buy crossword puzzle books though. Stocking up for the days when a quiet moment--not spent on the computer--is the standard and not the exception. For a time when I don't have writing assignments or reading assignments or to help with my kids' homework assignments.
One thing is for sure, crossword puzzles helped my vocabulary when I did them frequently. They helped me think about words. Each letter leading to the next. This is probably not a news flash and should be a strong argument for me to re-engaging with a puzzle book.
When I recently read a book published decades ago, I read with pen and paper by my side. I frequently ran across and wrote down words I don't remember ever seeing before. For someone whose life revolves around words, it was a fabulous feeling to be picking up the dictionary. It was a similar feeling, for me, as when I would fill in a crossword puzzle. Using my brain for learning in a way that reached back to my youth.
I've since signed up to have a word of a day e-mailed to me to give myself a little daily vocabulary buzz.
Admittedly, I may not be able to use the words daily, but it feels good to be able to keep learning and growing vocabulary which, ultimately, will make me a stronger writer.
So, try to find a word today that is new to you. What is it?

Elizabeth King Humphrey loves to learn new words, read new books and write new blog posts.

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Leave a Comment Elizabeth King Humphrey, Power of Words, Words

Copywriters, Be Proud

Allena Tapia, of About.com Freelance Writing and Garden Wall Publications, shared this video with the Premium-Green Writer's Group, and I had to pass it along to you all.

The power of a few words can move mountains. So touching...especially the ending. You don't have to understand Spanish to enjoy it.

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Leave a Comment copywriting, Power of Words, writing video

The Power of Words

Remember at the start of the Harry Potter saga when Harry was taken to get his wand? The shopkeeper searched his "stock", had Harry try several different makes and models so to speak until he found the perfect match. In Harry's hands, that properly fit wand made a powerful tool.

Words are just like that wand. In the right hands, words have an amazing power. Consider these words.

"I have a dream!"

Just four little words but what power they held when first spoken many years ago by Martin Luther King, Jr. Words that have shaped a nation and still stir us today. Words that I'm sure will never be forgotten.

Or what about "I love you." or "I hate you." "Thank you." and "Please"? Words that when spoken can either lift a person to amazing heights or plunge them into despair.

And let's not forget about the Imus fiasco. With just a few words he stirred things up all across our nation, lost his job and earned the scorn of many people. Once spoken, words can never be unsaid.

Written words are just as powerful. For example, an interview with Angela, WOW! founder and CEO was posted yesterday at LunarPages.

Tiara did a great job interviewing Angela. Her questions were thoughtful, the answers given were inspiring and encouraging. Yet, three little words meant to be light and fun caused things to get blown WAY out of proportion. It wouldn't have taken much to get a comment war started.

I think many times we take words for granted. But they truly are powerful tools in the right hands. Words stir our souls and empower us. They uplift and encourage. Words take us to times and places we may never see in person.

Yet, when misused words can tear apart families and hurt those we love the most. Words have the power to divide nations and ruin lives.

So today, I want us to do two things:--) That's right...I have an assignment for you. First, share what words encourage or empower you with the rest of us. Got a favorite saying or quote...then share it in the comment section.

Next, head on over to LunarPages and read Tiara's interview with Angela. Here's the link. Then, comment and let Tiara know what a great job she did.


Jean


Oh...I found my empowering words on the wall of a used car salesman years ago. Now, it's on my wall and in my sig. line at StoryCrafters. "Only he who attempts the ridiculous can achieve the impossible."

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11 comments LunarPages, Power of Words, StoryCrafters