What are words
If you really don't mean them
They never go away
They live on, even when we're gone
It seems that definitions of particular words are being refined and repurposed at an accelerated rate during the last days of this bewildered society we live in. Let’s review a few just for fun. Here are several binary extremes courtesy of a few familiar words.
Right: In accordance with what is good, proper, or just.
Wrong: Not in accordance with what is morally right or good.
An over simplistic binary, I know. In this particular case, opposites do not attract. In case you’re wondering, two wrongs do not make a right, but three lefts do.
Truth: That which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.
Lie: An intentionally false statement.
Some may say you now have the option to explore “alternate facts”. If one fact doesn’t work for you, simply find another that does and insert accordingly. However I would suggest making it easy for yourself. You see, when you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything. Arthur Schopenhauer said regarding truth: “All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” A lie will eventually wither and die, but the truth will flourish and eventually set you free.
Time: The system of those sequential relations that any event has to any other, as past, present, or future; indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events succeed one another.
Evolve: To develop gradually.
Depending on your circumstances you may be unaware of the time it will take for them to evolve. Please do not tarry however as the second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy (gradual decline into disorder) of a system either increases or remains constant in any spontaneous process; it never decreases….and the clock is ticking.
Kindness: The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
Mean: To have in mind as one's purpose or intention.
It seems to me that being mean is hard work and very emotionally distracting. Honestly, who wants to be a meany anyway? I heard someone say that kindness gives hope to those who think they are all alone in this world. I completely agree.
Agree: To have the same views, emotions, etc.; harmonize in opinion or feeling.
Disagree: To fail to agree.
Please note that a disagreement would not exist without an agreement already in place. Therefore keep your agreements plentiful and cordial. By doing so you’ll snuff the life right out of disagreement.
Equality: The state or quality of being equal; correspondence in quantity, degree, value, rank, or ability.
Who doesn’t like equality, eh? Aristotle once said, "The worst form of inequality is to try and make unequal things equal.” And who can argue with Aristotle?
First: Being before all others with respect to time, order, rank, importance, etc.
Last: Occurring or coming after all others, as in time, order, or place.
There’s nothing wrong with being first and frankly someone always has to be last, at least in this lifetime. That’s just the way it works. For example, if you get into the buffet line first, consider yourself a timely planner or at the very least fortunately lucky. If you get there last, don’t expect an abundance of choices. Fortunately in God’s economy the first shall be last, and the last first. Not sure how that will unfold but I trust God with every detail.
And I close with my favorite:
Woman: An adult female person. I’ll let you guess what a man is. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; man and woman created he them." Genesis 1:27. I figure if anyone knows best, it’s Almighty God Himself. Any other image man (or woman) can conjure up, well it must be in fact, anti-God. Regarding the nature of a godly woman: "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." Proverbs 31:10. Now that’s a woman!
Vocabulary with a dash of common sense.
But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Jim
This is an IMPORTANT subject to be aware of. In the war for your mind, there is a battle waging for the words & vocabulary that are used. What is the target? The WORD of GOD!
If you want to monitor this war, track the attempts to change vocabulary - you will be able to discern who is winning and who is losing. The current battles are waged against the words "man", "woman", and all gender based vocabulary. "Love" is being redefined.
The terms "sustainability", "equity", and "inclusion" have been completely redefined in the last couple of decades.
If you want to dive deeper:
https://debatewise.org/250-does-language-control-thought/