There Must Be a Better Word for That

Today I spent the whole day dragged down and wrapped up in words like

governance
guidelines
script
apology
inconvenience
infection
deadline
remorse
exit
notify
meh
necessary
error message
 

My day was shaping up into a depressive haiku.

squirrelAbout 5:15, I gave up (or as I call it “threw my f*ck it flag) and left the office.  Walking back to my car, I passed a patch of tea olives and the scent tapped me on the shoulder. “Pardon me?  Miss?  The world is lovely and it’s right here.”  

A new word popped into my head:  waft.

I smiled…just a little.  The tense muscles around my face rearranged themselves gladly.  More words:  smirk, moue, whimsy.  

The sun pattering down through the oak canopy warmed my cheeks and I thought of another word:  dappled.  

A sleek squirrel scampered across the pebbled path.  We locked eyes–gazed–for a fleeting moment, then he was off.

I stopped there on the path and filled my mind with better words…

aroma
dawdle
meander
respite
breeze
soar
lilt
lark
arc
swoop
horizon
rooted
heady
 

Then I continued on my way.  Rejuvenated.  Replenished.  Refreshed.  Hopeful.  Satisfied.  

What’s the most beautiful word you know?  The most peaceful?  The word that makes you stand still?  The one that gets you going?

14 thoughts on “There Must Be a Better Word for That

  1. Nita B

    Trifle, because no matter what I am going through, screaming baby, life, the list is endless. I find myself saying “drama today, trifle tomorrow”, immediately perks me up and gives me a feeling similar to the one you get when the house is quiet and it’s just you and a cocktail!

    Reply
  2. Lisa in Athens

    “Sanctuary” which, by some definitions, means a place of quiet and peace. I think it’s more a place or state of mind where a person can center themselves again, whether it be their home, a park, or a favorite place to visit.

    Reply
  3. christymimi

    That’s the power of nature. Fills your senses with hope and renewal and refreshes better than a Diet Coke. Well, okay, let’s not get crazy here.

    Reply
  4. Michelle

    Onomatopoeia – until today I’m not sure I knew what it meant ( I did look it up just now to make sure it wasn’t something embarrassing). And now I like it even more. BAM! There I said it. ;-0

    I just like the way it sounds and I just can’t say it without a smile!

    Reply
  5. mariner2mother

    The most beautiful word I know is compassion. Most peaceful is acceptance. Two of my most fun words to say are French. They are pamplemousse (I hope I spelled it right, as it’s been a while), and grenouille. They mean grapefruit and frog.

    Reply

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