Consider and comments

News has come to me, out of the big, wide cyber-world, about the idea of taking up a word for the forthcoming year. An alternative it seems, to the age-old New Year’s resolution. I put aside New Year resolution making some time back.

The idea of choosing a word for the year seems an excellent idea.  I like words. Words make up a good part of my day; reading words, writing words, speaking words and listening to words spoken by others.

However, choosing one word means thinking about the word and how you might apply it over the year on a daily basis.  I didn’t agonise over choosing a word.  Up popped the word consider and without further ado I adopted consider as my word for 2019.

Consulting the Google Oracle, I discover, unsurprisingly, this business of choosing a word for the year is all about personal growth and improvement. Fancy that!  Inspirational words such as:  growth, believe, happy, obedience, disciplined, patience, self-control, bolder, intentional and purpose are examples of words chosen by people participating on one particular web site.

Unperturbed by the deep and meaningful word choice of others I intend to soldier on with My Word. It’s a flexible word, it can be frivolous, practical or serious. It may, or may not, lead to personal growth and improvement. My advice here is to not hold your breath, waiting for any change in the PG&I department.

Here is today’s example:

Consider stopping this time-consuming activity of blog drafting and get on with those items on today’s chore list.

I wrote towards the end of last year about my general disillusionment regarding comments on blogs. At that time, I grew tired of the repetition, adulation and tribalism among followers commenting on some of the few blogs I read. I branched out and found other blogs where views (and comments) were more balanced, less political and not so given to hatred and bias. 

Of course, it goes without saying that the handful of the tried and true blogs I have been reading for at least 12 years are still on the list.  

This year, when I read a blog post or see a photo and a spontaneous response springs to mind, providing it is not too outrageous, that will be my only comment for the day.

Coombe Cottage roses.                  Circa 2005