I’ve been pondering the many aspects of my upbringing lately, particularly areas that stand out as having shaped me. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a fascination with words – their meaning, origin and impact.
Only in retrospect am I aware of the discordant nature of many of the words that influenced me as a child. What I heard in the words did not always match the non verbal messages being delivered along with those words. While I was not aware of these distinctions at the time, what I was acutely aware of was the mixed messages and the confusion those words caused.
I made many decisions early in life about how I needed to be, what I needed to say and not to say in order to survive. One of the many wonderful things resulting from my childhood is an unceasing fascination for words. I love words. Stringing words together to convey precisely the message I intend to convey is very important to me. I choose my words carefully and pay attention to the inner and outer message being delivered through my words.
I work with words. I employ words in the scripts, film and theatre reviews I write to convey a particular message to the readers and to provide an overview of the bigger picture messages I set out to impart.
I love learning about the history of words and exploring the syllables and phonetics to ensure the words I choose deliver their true meaning.
Words can harm, heal, confuse, educate, nurture, condemn, elevate and so much more.
My appetite for words is enormous. My intention to deliver a clear message through my words is at the forefront of my communication and my utmost desire is to end the legacy of harm done, while minimising the risk of leaving others confused or feeling the need to second guess what I am trying to convey.
I’ve learned to make words my ally and will leave you with some heartfelt words of a great actor, humanitarian and scholarly wordsmith, Mr. Robin Williams, whose words have made a big difference in my life.
In honour of Williams, who left this world 3 months ago, 11 August, aged 63 years. His final instructions released today in the USA at the reading of his Last Will and Testament…
“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world” Robin Williams
