One Word Makes a Difference

One word can make a difference whether spoken or in the written form.  A prime example (for me) is tied to yesterday’s milestone event in the history of our good old USA, that being the first “physical” step on the moon in 1969.

A momentous date by far and how one word “can” change the interpretation of the thought conveyed verbally by astronaut Neil Armstrong spurred a “controversy” about what may have been heard:  

“that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” or “that’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Read it again carefully to discover how the word “a” changes the interpretation and truly expands the meaning. 

Words are valuable tools to choose carefully and wisely.  It truly reminds me of advice for any carpenter: measure twice and cut once.  Words spoken or written, one cannot take them back or alter events that may result.  

Of note: If one does not know the meaning (definition) of a word, one does not own it for use.  

Books can change a life

These thoughts are tied to an article in the June/July 2014 AARP magazine featuring a much published author Joyce Carol Oates.  It seems that she has a favorite book that has inspired her writing career and changed her life: Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking Glass".  These two classics published in one volume were received on her 9th birthday from her grandmother. She still has it and it is just as treasured.  I am paraphrasing below what she says that she learned from "Alice”:

·         Be bold.

·         It is okay to question authority.

·         Look upon life as a possibility for adventures.

·         Be prepared to recognize fear, even terror, without succumbing to it.

·         Don't panic or lose your common sense or dignity.

Fairly profound thoughts from what has been accepted as a children’s book.  Yes, I do plan to read both of these again with fresh eyes and perspective.

As a young girl she even began drawing stories using cats and chickens as her characters vs adults using a lined tablet which kept her captivated as a child for many hours.  Children today should also be fed a diet of books from an early age.  Who can tell how their future can be shaped as a result. Keep in mind that they will be making the decisions for us as we age (directly or indirectly) and their career, politics, personal and professional activities, friends, etc.  will come into play through what they learn in their choice of reading which will either compliment or complicate their life plus yours and mine.

Just think. Her career was created/inspired/fed through reading as a child thanks to her grandmother's thoughtful gift AND the works of the gifted writer Lewis Carroll. That gift allowed her to become a gift to many readers, myself included.