Word Smith – Beat the Crap Out of It
word (wûrd)
n.
1. A sound or a combination of sounds, or its representation in writing or printing, that symbolizes and communicates a meaning and may consist of a single morpheme or of a combination of morphemes.
smith (sm
th)
n.
1. A metalworker, especially one who works metal when it is hot and malleable. Often used in combination: a silversmith; a goldsmith.
2. A blacksmith.
3. One who makes or works at something specified. Often used in combination: a locksmith; a wordsmith.
word·smith (wûrd
sm
th
)
n.
1. A fluent and prolific writer, especially one who writes professionally.
2. An expert on words.
Turning, Spraining and Breaking Phrases
I love a well turned phrase or saying. Be it of colloquial origin or something crafted in context, clever phrases interest me.
My mother punctuates many of her statements with, “Don’t Ya Know?” It isn’t intended so much as a question as a way of emphasizing a fact as she has stated it.
My grandmother is known for coining the phrase, in a moment of Southern Bell disgust second to none, “That just makes my ass want a cup of coffee.” I’m not sure how it means what it means, but there is no doubt what it means.
One of my colleagues often would say he was, “Frosted Flakes Great!” That one needs little explanation.
And, although I’m not sure of the origin in my own family mythology, somewhere I picked up the proclamation that one can be “Finer than frog hair.”
Do you have any such turned, twisted or mangled phrases you can share? Feel free. Why it would be “gooder than snuff and not half as dusty,” I’m sure!
"If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same..." From IF by R. Kipling
I'll come back to this thought, I'm sure. I was mowing the lawn last week and had this thought...
How can I invite you to peace when you're so comfortable in your familiar chaos?
And the end of the fight is a tomb stone white with the name of the late deceased
And an epitaph drear “A fool lies here who tried to hustle the east.”
-Rudyard Kipling
Do you ever give thought to the epitaph you want on your tomb stone? Or, do you ever wonder what your surviving relatives (always thought that was a strange connotation. Like they survived your dying?)?
Apparently the possibilities are wide open.
Here lies the body
of Jonathan Blake
Stepped on the gas
Instead of the brake.
Memory of an accident in a Uniontown, Pennsylvania cemetery
Here lays Butch,
We planted him raw.
He was quick on the trigger,
But slow on the draw.
In a Silver City, Nevada, cemetery
I was somebody.
Who, is no business
Of yours.
Someone determined to be anonymous in Stowe, Vermont
And my favorite,
"I told you I was sick!"
In a Georgia cemetery
On a more serious note, lately I think I know what mine may turn out to be, if I live that long.
My wife and granddaughter (5 years old) talk about me a good bit. In a loving effort to help our granddaughter understand the people in her world, her grandmother will often explain other people’s behavior. I’m no exception. One evening, in anticipation of the coming morning – my granddaughter asked, “Will granddaddy Kim be here in the morning?” My wife explained, “No. He’ll leave early for work, before you are awake. He goes to work every day to make money so we can have food, a house and other nice things.” One morning early, I walked into the bedroom after my shower, to find them both snuggled into our bed. I dressed for work quietly, in the dark and heard them talking.
Granddaughter: There’s granddaddy Kim… in the dark.
Grandmother: Yes. He knew we would be resting and didn't want to bother us. He’s thoughtful like that. He’ll go down and feed the dogs and let them out, too. So they can run up and join us for a snuggle. Isn’t it nice of him to do that for us?
So, as I’m thinking about how my life is impacting others, I’m hearing my wife tell my grandchild that I am a thoughtful, considerate provider. I've worked hard to be a lot of things: an excellent salesperson, a reliable employee, successful in business, an able public speaker, etc. But here I am, looking from the point of view of my family and I find that I am seen in a different light.
Provider. Considerate. Thoughtful.
Honestly, that is an epitaph, be it written on the stone above my grave or on the folds of the hearts of those who remember me, which I can live and die with.
My sister died last May. Today, I got an email from her...well, from her account. Apparently some SPAM bot has taken control of her old email account and sent me a link to a 'work from home' business opportunity. As freaky as this was, I'll just add it to the list with Facebook reminding me of her birthday every year - her profile is still up.
Note to self: make sure family has all of my internet profiles, email accounts, and website log-ins and passwords so they can care for those, after I'm gone and are ready for the digital death!
This afternoon, I joined a few hundred people to hear Seth Godin as he conversed with and was interviewed by High Point University President, Nido R. Qubein.
We weren't allowed to take photos with Seth, so I went up to him afterwards, introduced myself and shook his hand. He is a very approachable man. Then at the urging of a rambunctious friend, we took our photo and accidentally captured Mr. Godin in the background.
The conversation was pure Seth and played around, chased, and ran through the need for individuals to take 100% responsibility for their own life and destiny. Seth has said this many ways and his books constantly challenge us as leaders, marketers and business owners to let go of the old perceptions and patterns.
Seth Godin is passionate, focused and constantly asking "What if" and "Why?" My lesson learned from today is that we become what we embrace with our time and energy. If we want to be more creative - spend time around creative folks. If we want to be better at running a business, seek out successful business people.
I'm reminded of the old saying, "If you hang around the barber shop long enough, you're going to get a haircut." Where are we spending our time? What are we becoming?
We weren't allowed to take photos with Seth, so I went up to him afterwards, introduced myself and shook his hand. He is a very approachable man. Then at the urging of a rambunctious friend, we took our photo and accidentally captured Mr. Godin in the background.
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| Two Celebrities and Seth Godin |
The conversation was pure Seth and played around, chased, and ran through the need for individuals to take 100% responsibility for their own life and destiny. Seth has said this many ways and his books constantly challenge us as leaders, marketers and business owners to let go of the old perceptions and patterns.
Seth Godin is passionate, focused and constantly asking "What if" and "Why?" My lesson learned from today is that we become what we embrace with our time and energy. If we want to be more creative - spend time around creative folks. If we want to be better at running a business, seek out successful business people.
I'm reminded of the old saying, "If you hang around the barber shop long enough, you're going to get a haircut." Where are we spending our time? What are we becoming?
This is too powerful not to share. Why do we relate to the underdog? Because we have all been there...most of us powerfully so. Yet, out culture of youth (particularly in the educational environment) is one where we allow and support behavior of making ourselves feel better by belittling others. I double dog dare you to watch this Spoken Word poem...