Use Your Words Wisely | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

Use Your Words Wisely

After hearing a session on what the word "hope" really means, I started to think about how I use my words.

39
Use Your Words Wisely
pexels

What does the word “hope” mean to you? I know many of us, myself included, use it to refer to something we are wishing for.

I always hear phrases such as, “I hope I win the lottery,” or “I hope that you can come hangout tonight.”

What these phrases say is, “I am wishing for this to happen.” There is no certainty that these things will occur.

That is the problem with people using the word hope—we continue to misuse it. If you look at the original, archaic definition of hope in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, you’ll see it means “trust.”

The word hope was intended to mean something different than it does today; it was meant to stand for trusting that something in the near future will happen, not wishing.

During my Character Camp experience as a mom, we went over the definition of hope in one of the training sessions. Sheryl Haile, professor of psychology, explained that hope is a certainty. She said hope is knowing that something will happen in future.

Haile used the example of Jesus to explain what hope truly meant. Haile said Jesus is our hope. We believe he is our savior, and we hope (trust) he will come back to take us to Heaven.

When Haile said this, it resonated with me.

The word hope is such a deep, meaningful word. It is used to describe someone so significant: Jesus. The weight of its definition alone is intense, and yet, it is a word we take it for granted nearly every time we use it to wishfully foreshadow simple events like “hanging out.”

After the training session, I completely changed the way I use the word hope, but it did not stop there. What Haile said also caused me to think about how I use all words. The training session motivated me to change my vocabulary.

I have committed myself to stop using words like “literally” all the time. I try to avoid overusing words that, not too long ago, produced a powerful statement when used. I continue to alter my vocabulary so that each time I speak, my words hold weight and meaning behind them.

I want to truly mean what I say, so now when I remember the phrase “think before you speak,” it holds a new meaning behind it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

197866
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

19453
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461341
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28563
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments