Adventures · Inspiration

Can I find a favorite word?

Shelley

I’ve never thought about words in the context of “What’s my favorite word.”  First of all, is it favourite or favorite?  My auto-correct indicates it’s ‘favorite’, and I’m not a fan of the red underlining reminding me I need to correct something, so let’s just go with the ‘favorite’ for simplicity sake?  Okay?

Sure, it’s my blog I can use whatever words I want…

Back to the question at hand…what is my favorite word?  My first reaction is “Um”.  Not because I like the word ‘um’, but because, I’m stumped.  Um is part of stumped.  But stumped isn’t my favorite word either.

Um…um…um…so many possibilities.

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I’m not fond of the word um, especially when I think of listening to a speaker who floods their speech with awkward, ‘um’ pauses.  Um isn’t a fun word, it is distracting and unfocused.

So, nope, ‘um’ is not my favorite word.

Then I thought maybe that ‘word’ is my favorite word.  I do love words because, with words, I can write sentences, or record history, or pretend to predict the future, or make plans for it with my written words.

But, ‘word’ isn’t my favorite word.

Words can be found in a dictionary, so maybe dictionary is an option for my favorite word?

Um…again…so many possibilities.

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Well…it is true a dictionary expands on ‘word’ as giving me way more possibilities than a singular word.  I like that about dictionaries.  But ‘dictionary’ is too structured and formal of a word, I prefer to use the dictionary as a reference, not exercise my writing solely from it.

Ah…exercise…I do like that word.

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Exercise is good for my heart, my soul, my brain, and my life.  I can exercise my rights.  I can exercise in peaceful settings.  I can exercise to clear my head.  I can exercise while I read (on the treadmill).  I can exercise outside to get my nature fix.  I can exercise my typing skills.  I can exercise my freedom to use whatever word I want to describe how I feel.

But at this moment, I’m torn to find a word to describe my favorite word.  Maybe exercise should just be my favorite word?

Um…I’m not sure though.

And I’m wondering why it is that with all the words in the English language, why can’t I find a favorite word?

It’s because I love to exercise my right to choose what word fits at the moment I need to use a word to describe what it is I’m trying to say.  Except not right now, I’m still stumped?  Maybe I need more coffee?  Maybe I need to go for a run?

Yes, that’s it, maybe I need to go exercise to clear my head.

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What I do know is that this has been a fun exercise for my brain to test my thoughts about words and what they mean to me.  For that, I’m thankful and pumped for the day.

So, um…maybe exercise will just have to do as my favorite word of the day…until another word comes to my mind.

Post inspiration from Linda Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday:  Your Favorite Word

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Published by Shelley

Letting my quirk out one post at a time.

34 thoughts on “Can I find a favorite word?”

  1. An interesting and challenging post, especially over a wine or two waiting for the barbecue to reach well-done temperature. I read your post then asked Dr C to say what was my most used word. She refused to comment at first, but then we reluctantly agreed on ….. “bugger”, as in “Bugger that I’m not going”, or “Bugger, that wine is awful, or “bugger it, let’s get on with it”!
    My favourite word is …. “systemic” which is very very different in meaning from “systematic” and relates to my profession as an organisational psychologist and the brilliant book by Peter Senge, Systems Thinking for which you virtually need a PhD to get beyond the first chapter. But having read it, I made a fortune in following it. Hence, systemic, favourite word.

    1. LOL – when I hear bugger, I think of a small child on a nose excavation. 😉 Thank you for sharing your favourite word and why you chose it. I’m a fan of systems, but with your technical advice on the need for a Ph.D., I shall not add that book to my to-read list. I am intrigued that it brought you much fortune having had read it. Will that be a post soon? I’ve been inspired by your other posts and found this book to read – have you read it? The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: Guidance on the Path to Mindfulness from a Spiritual Leader by Haemin Sunim. I’m glad you stopped by to share your thoughts while you were enjoying your barbeque and wine!

      1. My use of that word is also in my North of England, Cumbrian accent, usually incomprehensible to foreigners! I tend to lapse into it when swearing or after wine or when I go home to Cumbria or I’d be an outcast!

        1. I feel for Dr. C, and that makes more sense why she reluctantly agreed on that as a mutual word choice ;-)! You two must have so much fun discussing things over wine!

          3. Joke? Dr C and reason not in the same sentence! Kids used to say “my mum is an alien”!

          9. Since when was an American website capable of analysing, or even understanding olde English language in dialect form?

          12. The swearing post went right to the trash, to prove it I approved it and now you can see it. Don’s got bigger fish to fry than worry about my little old blog! 😉

          15. It’s getting out of control here, I said to Dr C, ok what’s your favourite word? “Dunno” she said 😂😂😂😂😂👫

  2. Um reminds me of Om, the universal mantra. There’s probably a joke in there somewhere about um being the mantra when you’re not sure if you want to meditate or not. I enjoyed your honest SOC and your photos. Wow, those shoes!

    1. LOL – you’re on to something with um, Om, or that thought! Thank you, I’m glad you stopped by to share your thoughts. I’m heading out for a run in those shoes! At least the drivers on the road see me coming with them on! 😉

  3. As enjoyable as your post was, the comments were absolutely engrossing!

    As annoying as I find the sound “um” I never made the correlation to “om”. Quite interesting.

    Still smiling. 🙂

    Donna

    1. Thank you, Donna! Dr. B and JoAnna are so much fun to chat with, just like you! Thanks for stopping by to join in on the conversation! 🙂

    1. I don’t disagree with your thought on the favorite word, it’s tough! I’d have a hard time picking a band too, but less of a challenge than a favorite word. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

  7. hahaha. I love this and can SO relate. If you are back from your run, I will bet you have a slew of words. I always say, I can solve all the worlds problems and do my best thinking when exercising. In fact I had to start carrying a little notebook to jot stuff down. Fun read!

    1. Thank you, Donna. Exercising is when my mind wanders and clears all at the same time. I carry my phone and stop at times to jot a note down, but paper would be so much easier! Thanks for stopping by – it’s always fun to hear from you! Happy mountain climbing!! Those photos you shared are simply awe-inspiring!!!

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