Language is a binding force between you and I in this moment. My words are being interpreted within your mind, giving voice to my words on this page. But you understand the voice, you've seen these words before. Maybe not in this order, but when I tell you to see a pink elephant standing at the tip of a skyscraper, you may 'see it' to some capacity.

​

We attempt to put the world into words every single day, often with intention. You may wish to excitedly share an interaction you had with a comedic store clerk to your partner over dinner. A call with mom where you feel obligated to share the death of a close friend, or the moments when you withhold that and say work was good. We've all had to communicate, and something always leads to that action. Intention matters, yes, but what matters more to a listener are the words themselves.

​

Because words are how we see the world. If you told me it's cold out I expect cold, and I'm going to wear a coat.

​

Thanks to circumstantial privilege, dedication, and a community of support between my friends and family - I am here while you read my words. And with an understanding of how words ARE the world, it only feels right to share that.

 

As I write I can't help but consider the accessibility of my words to those who gaze across the page, and all I want is for them to walk away with something. Language ALWAYS has intention. Sometimes that takes a few drafts, or an "excuse me let me rephrase that," but it'd be a waste of energy if we didn't mean anything.

​

Meaning always is created when words are spoken, but the relationship between words and their order is imperative in determining the context. Meaning is found in the dictionary, but also individually in each of our minds. Language binds us to our past and how we relive through the memory of it. Words are triggers for recollection. And when used effectively, you can really begin to understand the person behind them. No one has an obligation to anyone, but that's why I feel like I have an obligation to everyone.

​​

​People often prefer to engage with context with direct connection with themselves - which is fair! We are meant to survive and prefer to disregard anything that seems negligible to that goal. But I think I skipped the care for survival part. I just want to learn from others. To learn about his painted shed or her dad's old tackle box or their kid's doctorate degree in Boston, it all gives me energy. I know the excitement they feel to talk about their interests and how good it feels for someone to care to listen. It feels good to be the person on the other end, and luckily I'm genuinely interested in learned about the PFAS in the golf course's water and how it effects the local ecosystem.

 

And I wish more people felt excited to engage in the dynamic/random rhetoric of our shared planet and sometimes above. I believe the world would be a better place in that world. I speak only of the collective because I myself am a part of that experience, a testament of this moment. Along with every moment of the past.

​

I've spent years disregarding conversation from family members cause I didn't know how it was relevant to me. Numerous stories from my parents slipped through my mind because why should I care about the memory that was just spurred. But I should care, at least enough to respect the energy another individual is using to talk about it. If we each took a moment to try and engage slightly further with follow-up questions, we may find some correlation between our mind's personal language. We may connect, and as a society we shouldn't be adverse to that. 

​

Even with strangers, politicians, the unhoused or the unhappy. Everyone deserves their voice to be heard because the language we choose to define our reality creates its own existence, for ourselves and those listening. Your words may get reaffirmed or misunderstood, but nothing abstains you with the responsibility that you spoke them.

 

Be thoughtful with what you say, but be ample with your questions. Cause if you don't know those roots, you'll never learn how to pluck a weed.

​​​

Language is a skill, a structure, and our livelihood. You can empower yourself and others with its power, and just as easily knock everyone down. But bringing one of us down takes us all down a notch, and more people have to think that way. Let us work together to share this moment, because we are all the same in the beginning and the end.