Favourite Words

Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.
Rudyard Kipling

It’s about this time of year that I give thought to my Word of the Year.  I gave up resolutions long ago, having found that a single word is my best guide for how to live life in the coming year.

I began thinking about words I love and cherish. Words can affect how we feel so why not dwell on words that nourish the soul. I wondered if others felt the same way and decided to ask readers of this blog post to send along some of their favourite words.  Many of you did!

Somewhat to my surprise, the words I received reflect qualities and traits of women I admire.  Who are these women? They are ones, many in the third stage of life, who are true to themselves and live life on their own terms.    

A woman in the third stage dwells in possibility. Love is her guiding star. Despite detours and obstacles along the way, her resilience and tenacity have carried her through and strengthened her resolve to forge the path in life she was meant to follow.  Making her own way has sometimes been an act of resistance in the face of obligations and social expectations that women of her generation know all too well. Her life experiences have taught her to cultivate compassion not only for others but for herself. There is no time for regrets.  

This wise woman is perspicacious with a keen radar for both truth and deception. Skilled in sizing up a situation in no time flat, she can peel back the layers that cloud reality and see life as it is. This quality has enabled her to remain engaged and curious and yet free of the need to respond to every situation. She is a fierce advocate if necessary.  Some would describe her as unconventional.

Life is not perfect. She knows grief and pain. Challenges present themselves, but she deals differently with them now and as much as possible, goes with the flow.  This modern woman manifests the paradox of living. She is the one who has relinquished the need to fix situations, but who also asks: What can I do to help? Her life is purposeful and yet she does not take life too seriously.  Simultaneously tender hearted and yet determined; fearful and fearless; sorrowful and joyful. Certain that little in life is certain.

She believes that acts of kindness speak volumes.

A wild woman is one who boldly lives with joy.  Sometimes that joy is expressed as sassiness, sometimes as gentleness, or exuberance, or creativity, but mostly as deep gratitude for the fullness, and beauty of life. She laughs easily and delights in the ordinary. She trusts that life will unfold as it should without knowing how that unfolding will occur. 

The essence of the wild woman is one who is awake to possibilities. In looking back and reflecting, she realizes her interior life has expanded and is transforming from a life of much doing to a life of simply being.

Being who she truly is. And that is more than enough.

More favourite words

Here are a few more favourites of mine and ones others sent in. (in no particular order).

Pleasure, play, friends, family, sky, trees, greenery, authentic, trust, ease, peaceful, sing, soft, restore, risk.
Replenish, adventure; hope, amazing, simplicity, fearless, integrity, strength, quiet, light, generous, embrace, sunshine, children, family, trees, clouds.
Autumn, summer, winter, and spring.
Warmth, dance, forgiveness, fun, nourish, desire.
Longing, spirited, appreciation, marvellous.

And the greatest of these is LOVE!

 The bolded words in the text are words readers sent in.