Through the Looking Glass: 20 Words

Some days, I just can’t spit it out. The story in my head takes me eight minutes to tell you about when I really could’ve summed it all up in about two. That’s why I found the following question and writer’s prompt so tough: What if you could pick only 20 words to make up your entire vocabulary? Which words would you select? Why?

At first glance, I thought it’d be easy. And so, I started: “Love, laugh, give” flowed easily as my first three words. I added to the list with “persevere, show, create.” Before I knew it I’d hit the 20-word mark and flew by it. This was going to be harder than I thought; I had to axe words from my new language.

I needed words that were powerful, impactful. I replaced “food” (yes, I had food on my list) with the word “listen” and replaced “forget” with “imagine.” My list of 20 is below, in no particular order. I’d love to read your lists… Go ahead, try it!

• Show: Show up for life; show others what it means to be authentically you.

• Love: Open your heart.

• Persevere: One day at a time.

• Laugh: Most things really aren’t that tragic.

• Protect: Protect your reputation, and those people and ideas you hold dear.

• Give: Give freely, without expectation of reciprocation.

• Play: Do the stuff that makes you happy.

• Tell: Tell the truth, to yourself and others.

• Do: Stop talking and do it.

• Create: Sing, dance, write, paint.

• Pray: To something, anything, bigger than yourself.

• Read: Expand your mind.

• Write: Scribble it out on paper; writing clears the mind.

• Share: Share your knowledge, your passion, your Self with the world.

• Trust: It’s all going to be Okay.

• Imagine: Imagine the possibilities… of everything and anything.

• Smile: It can’t hurt, and just might brighten someone’s day.

• Change: Change your attitude, change your mind, change the world.

• Help: Help others. Sometimes the tiniest things make the biggest difference.

• Listen: Stop talking, and just listen. You might be surprised at what you hear.

Okay, friends. Now it’s your turn. 20 words…. Go!

Until next time… thanks for reading.