Words

I've been reading a book by Brennen Manning and he is really one of the most eloquent users of adjectives I've read, which makes sense since he's attempting to describe God. In the book he frequently caveats his paragraphs by saying that words can't really describe the true essence of the love of God; the particular thing he's attempting to describe. But what really gives words meaning? I think we are trying to wrap our language around ideas or feelings or concepts or God to describe them and define them so that we might attempt to share these with someone. Do we succeed?



I think yes, in some ways. I think that languages power is derived from the imagination that is unique to every individual. My concept of what the word love means will be different than yours. Perhaps deeper, perhaps not, certainly a different flavor and color, and just as valid. I think certain things bring out meaning from words, like a picture, or music, or even just a clever arrangement. Depth that otherwise would not be there.

I just started reading "Dandelion Wine" by Ray Bradbury. His character is describing what it means to be alive: to breath every molecule and savor it, to experience the fullness of smell and the richness of the warm sun on the skin, to hear the heartbeats of the forest as it's rhythm of life ebbs and flows. Why not look deeper into the meaning of words? Why not try to fully appreciate words as if you had cut off a little piece of something and encapsulated it in all it's glory and depth?