Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Well

 A few weeks ago when I shared my list of what was going on in my life in February, I mentioned that a word had just popped into my head one day while I was meditating, and I was considering using it as my One Little Word this year. I've thought about it and that thinking has led me to decide that I should continue to pursue it.


The word is Well. It probably crept into my mind because I was thinking about drilling a well. The people that bought my father's old house called me with a question about the well because it seemed like it was running dry and they wondered if I knew how deep it was. I couldn't help them, but this did lead to me thinking about the different ways the word is used.

As an adverb, it means to do things thoroughly or in a satisfactory way.

As an adjective, it means to be in good health.

It can be used as an exclamation. (In an effort to curb my swearing I say "Well, crap" a lot!)

There is its usage as a noun, meaning a shaft sunk into the ground to obtain oil, water, or gas. 

And don't forget that well is also a verb, as in "her tears began to well up".

Some of my interest is that the word is used in so many ways. I am also quite fond of Julian of Norwich's well-known prayer  I'm not sure exactly what I'll be doing with Well or where it might lead me, but I do hope that by the end of the year I can truly say "all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.”

15 comments:

  1. That's an interesting OLW, Bonny. I am also a big fan of Julian of Norwich's prayer, and I recite it to myself often. It's a great mantra for just about anything. I have found particularly pertinent for me this year as the challenges mount up. I hope you are warm and snug today. It's my latest challenge where I am, but "all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well".

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  2. I think this word has miles and miles of possibilities! (and how did I not know about Julian of Norwich??) As always, I learn something new from you! Thank you!

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  3. Very interesting word for the year. I love that it has so many diverse meanings and so many possibilities that could be a positive force in your life. Hope you are well and that your week is going well.

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  4. And don't forget the depth that Well connotes -- there are so many meanings to this little word!

    I'm glad you included that Julian of Norwich quote. Our rabbi has used it in the past, and I never knew where it came from (nor did I know that Julian was a woman until I googled just now!).

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  5. I really enjoy words like this that can be used in so many different ways. An interesting - and I think good - OLW Bonny! I know that prayer/quote, but had forgotten that it was from Julian of Norwich. Thanks for the rabbit hole!

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  6. This is such a great word. It brings all the right connotations to the overused "wellness" which I see all too often right now.

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  7. This word sounds wonderful, I'm looking forward to following your journey with it.

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  8. I read Julian of Norwich's Revelations of Divine Love many years ago and her mantra/prayer "All shall be well..." is one of my favorites. You have chosen such an interesting word with so many meanings I look forward to seeing where it will lead you!

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    1. Thanks, Debbie! I wasn't even aware of her book, but I'm definitely going to make an effort to read it this year.

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  9. Well, well, that's quite an undertaking. :) (Couldn't resist.)

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  10. LOLing at Margene's reply. I was going to say/type something similar, but why bother?! Having just spent a year OLWing with a conjunction, I think you have a lot of options here. I look forward to following along with your journey!

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  11. I do not pick a word however, a word picked me 'accept'. I love how you have many interpretations of your word and how the word speaks to you.

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  12. I love it. I do like words that an be used as different parts of speech. And I also love Julian's prayer. In fact I have repeated it often during 2020.

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  13. First of all . . . I have no idea how I missed this post when you first posted it!!! I LOVE this word, Bonny. It is such a fabulous word. I really like words you can play around with . . . and this just seems like a perfect word to play around with this year. I can't wait to see where it leads you. XO

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