In an effort to relay a context for what I intend to communicate here, I think it is necessary to bring attention to the obvious. [*Note] 

I believe that we cannot simply make statements and presume them to be interpreted the way we intend.  The best we can do is align our behaviors with what is meant.  Even then, how another takes it is not something we can control yet we do our best to be understood.  Let me give you an example.

Love.  

If you say to a person, “I love you”. What does that mean?  Do you mean the same thing when you say it to someone else? Of course, the love you have for a person can only belong to them.  

At times we may use the same word as a way of describing having a strong affection towards an item.  “I love your hair”, “I love that restaurant” or “I love …<insert your favorite city>”. Does that mean your love (strong affection) will always be?

What of the abusive partner who uses the same phrase?  “I love you”  Has one heard this as an apology enough to be disenchanted with hearing it?

Even the choice to use this word as an example has been influenced by the variety of ways I have heard it used and used it myself.  The word love can be complicated.  The behaviors that follow can be fraught with confusion.  What it means depends on the context.  Despite the context, how it is used and the behaviors exhibited to represent it lay on a continuum.  The continuum is between the word and the antonym.  For the purpose of exploration, to the exclusion of the word itself and replaced with a synonym.  

How can a moment of expression reflect the complexities of our existence?  Which behaviors follow our words speak volumes.  They define the words we use for those whose ears they fall upon.  It is a cycle that requires awareness of ourselves and others to establish/maintain what is true.

Back to the original purpose of this post.  Using the title Anatomy of the language I speak, implies that the language I use is exclusive to me.  It is not.  I think we all do this – use language that does not bring significant clarity to the degree to which we are speaking.  However, I have learned that how I experience people’s language and behaviors are not typical – at least not in my current social interactions. 

My hope is to share that experience with you.  I would like for you to know that the words I place on these pages have a life of their own. The way you receive them may not be the same as the next person. That is precisely the point.  As I navigate translating my visual experiences into those of the written word, you may find that some posts have an added component to further elaborate. Keep a close eye out for attachments or links because I may forget to mention them.

*Note: I will do this frequently.  At times it will be to set some semblance of tone for you as the audience and others to help me find clarity.  Despite popular belief, having a website does not mean that the author has it all figured out.