The Beauty Of Words

If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?

Legend has that mankind learnt to speak various languages from the Tower of Babel. Thereafter, on the basis of languages spoken people broke into many lingual groups and came to occupy different geographical territories.

Language bonded them as well as became the most important means of communication and expression. Later, it also divided them with the passage of time.

As the process of refinement took place, languages bifurcated into colloquial dialects and literary speeches. Languages are made up of words and words are made up of letters or alphabets.

Those who have love for languages can vouch that there is nothing more beautiful than words. Words have been woven into beatific poetry and prose. We have got timeless classics through written words. Who would like to go without words or erase them from their vocabulary?

But going deeper into the meaning implied in the prompt, I believe by word it is implied the action or thought or feeling related to it which may be having a detrimental impact on our philosophy of life.

Since I am not in the habit of using expletives I would rather give up those words indicating certain characteristics which are negative in their extreme sense. For me one such word is procrastination. Again erasing the word totally is not advisable because that would mean underscoring impulsive behaviour.

While one must think twice before leaping forward, the act of cogitation should not be stretched interminably. Procrastination often imply indecisiveness. Taking decision, right or wrong, is a must. Not taking any decision or stand in a matter is complete no-no. Inability to take decision is a shortcoming. Avoiding decision in a matter can be at times strategically correct but being habitual of tarrying decision is a sign of poor strategist.

In my case, it’s the opposite. I am proactive and jump into boundary management before the need arises. It’s preemptive in a positive sense. On the negative side, it is stressful because you have to be always on your toes to be ready to plunge into action whether there is an actual requirement for it or it is your overactive mind which perceives or predicts trouble much ahead and lunges forward to let it not come nearer or at all.

There has to be a midway between procrastination and proactiveness. I guess it should be a wise combination of prudence, pragmatism and programming.

You have to condition yourself not to think too much ahead of time. That is programming your approach to life Have to apply a big dose of prudence to determine what action to be taken in the face of imminent problem. And a bigger dose of pragmatism to figure out whether it is actually necessary to take any step whatsoever even if an issue is pressing the door bell.

I have learnt this from many of my superiors to let problem resolve on its own. Ladling too much is not always good for the soup. However, these are nuggets of wisdom picked up on hindsight. By nature I am a person who is built to act and clearing the road before the congestion occurs. In a way it’s good. In a way it’s bad because there is no end to policing the traffic.

Having said all that, there are certain words which I wish were made extinct or obsolete in all dictionaries, like

War

Jealousy

Hatred

Racism

Discrimination

Disparity

Fascism

Fundamentalism

Fanaticism

And all others which are intrinsically divisive by nature, derrogates humankind and defeats the quality of humaneness

Please note I am not talking here of complete erasion because these will always be part of our tarnished history and we shall remain accursed not to forget it.

However, I pray an overall spiritual upliftment of mankind shall render the usage of such terminologies and their inherent manifestations defunct.