For some people, the very idea of having to write a paragraph or two on anything is downright terrifying. They fidget in their seat and wring their hands blue. Their chest becomes tight as if a VW Beetle was perched on top. They grind their teeth to the gum line and mumble obscenities under their breath.
I don't have this problem at all (as I'm sure you've all noticed). Paragraphs. Pages. Treatise. Makes no difference to me. The words come tumbling out like a full box of Rice Krispies poured all over the kitchen floor!! They even snap, crackle and pop.
Yet, despite the fact that words rank among my best friends, I often find them very limiting. As I wrote in the comments section over at Matters of Integrity, words are a pale facsimile of expression. They only are able to convey a fraction of what I long to say.
A small part of the problem is bound up by the complexity and ambiguity of definitions. While we have these volumes called dictionaries to tell us what specific words mean, these word-based descriptions often only apply to a particular word in a sterile sense. When we fuse the sterile word with each person's unique perspective, words tend to take on very personalized meanings, often meanings lost on anyone else.
Words are contextually-based too. Large or small means next to nothing without an understanding of a particular context. Words like religion, God, democracy, illusion, life or even smelly must be understand within the context of a particular reference point or they will mean far more or far less than the speaker or writer wishes to convey.
However, from my vantage point, the biggest and most important drawback to the use of words is that they simply cannot encompass the breadth and depth of the human heart and soul. There are so many things we know and feel that literally defy words. When we try to encapsulate this innate knowledge with a spate of words, we fail miserably again and again. No matter how hard we try to find the right words, we already know they will elude us because they don't truly exist.
That's where I am at this very moment. :)
I don't have this problem at all (as I'm sure you've all noticed). Paragraphs. Pages. Treatise. Makes no difference to me. The words come tumbling out like a full box of Rice Krispies poured all over the kitchen floor!! They even snap, crackle and pop.
Yet, despite the fact that words rank among my best friends, I often find them very limiting. As I wrote in the comments section over at Matters of Integrity, words are a pale facsimile of expression. They only are able to convey a fraction of what I long to say.
A small part of the problem is bound up by the complexity and ambiguity of definitions. While we have these volumes called dictionaries to tell us what specific words mean, these word-based descriptions often only apply to a particular word in a sterile sense. When we fuse the sterile word with each person's unique perspective, words tend to take on very personalized meanings, often meanings lost on anyone else.
Words are contextually-based too. Large or small means next to nothing without an understanding of a particular context. Words like religion, God, democracy, illusion, life or even smelly must be understand within the context of a particular reference point or they will mean far more or far less than the speaker or writer wishes to convey.
However, from my vantage point, the biggest and most important drawback to the use of words is that they simply cannot encompass the breadth and depth of the human heart and soul. There are so many things we know and feel that literally defy words. When we try to encapsulate this innate knowledge with a spate of words, we fail miserably again and again. No matter how hard we try to find the right words, we already know they will elude us because they don't truly exist.
That's where I am at this very moment. :)
Don't sweat it.
ReplyDeleteThat does not mean I think you should do anything, and certainly is not a command.
Neither am I suggesting you sweat a lot, or are smelly at all, even though you mentioned "smelly" in context with God and religion.
And by "it" I am not trying to be ambiguous in any way, nor should you assume I am, not that I am suggesting you should do anything that I suggest...
"There are so many things we know and feel that literally defy words. When we try to encapsulate this innate knowledge with a spate of words, we fail miserably again and again."
ReplyDeleteYes. That's what I was trying to convey to you (but couldn't find the words...of course.)
I spoke with my dearest friend today about this same thing... about how the words we give voice will never be enough to convey what's in our hearts. Especially when one doesn't have a "gift" with words...
Words we give voice can be our closet allies or our worst enemies in understanding one another. And as beautiful or as eloquent as the words might be, well, sometimes... sometimes... silence is even more so...
It is true that there are limitations in written communication and that depending on the mindset or mood of the reader the interpretation of your words can shift dramatically. The key is to write for yourself, allow your passion to flow and trust that what you wish to convey is received. The interesting thing is that often times our words are interpreted in a way we could not foresee.
ReplyDelete