Words. From the womb, we hear them. We start to speak them, one at a time. Then two. Then a string of them shapes our identity. Then we learn to spell them. Write them. Wield them for good. Or evil. We use them to love. To hurt. Words. They are always with us, always around us, always evoking… something.

Welcome to the first edition of Words for Thoughtful Readers. Words stumbled upon during readings, listening to podcasts, or even a sermon. I’ve also been known to read labels, boxes, or anything else I can get my hands on if I’m suddenly without reading material. Simply a list. Maybe some thoughts and perhaps some definitions. Whatever strikes me when I put the list together. The list is not specific, has no rhyme or reason. They may even be words I’m familiar with but love and don’t want to forget. It’s my free-spirited learning at work.

• Erudite: Something I’d like to show, but not in a stuffy way, but in a way that shows that I have a clear mind up until the day which I am no more. I strive to be someone who shows great learning.
• Pedantry: I work with someone like this. She is pedantic to the nth degree and sets everyone around her on edge. I like to showcase my knowledge as much as the next person but not to the point that I’m…
• Imperious. See what I did there. Now I’m being superior and arrogant.
• Locution: Maybe Words for Thoughtful Readers is a way that I can use my ideas to bring words to life.
• Adroit: I’m currently picking up quite a few words that deal with the mind (or in this case also the hands or body) and being skillful and clever. It seems to play into my need to learn everything I can about brain health and aging. It’s funny that I didn’t see the…
• Corollaries: until I started typing them up and putting more thought into them. But sometimes I just like words because they are fun to say, like…

• Milquetoast: a characteristic I’ve never been accused of having. If anything, I’ve been accused of being assertive. While I don’t want to be seen as a wimp, I think that showing some balance would be good. It would also be nice if someone noticed this shift in me and supplied me with appropriate…
• Approbation: An official acknowledgement would help me to feel …
• Especial: Every now and then it’s good to feel special, to get a little boost so you feel better than usual. I think I will wrap up this this little discussion. I appreciate you being part of my …
• Cenacle: Having a literary clique makes me feel good since I am normally not that ….
• Gregarious: I am trying to enjoy the company of others more. Although, hopefully not to the point it is …
• Bourgeois: I don’t need to compete with the upper echelons of society. I’m happy being me.

Thank you, Thoughtful Reader, for joining me on this reflection of recent words I’ve collected. It is something I have wont to do.