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Choose words of affirmation in daily discourse By Sharon Johnson Dec 11, 2022 12:30 AM A A It occurred to me I may be one of few people who consistently tracks the Oxford English Dictionary’s Word of the Year. This year it was two words. And it was disappointing. The word phrase chosen by over 95% of 300,000 people was “goblin mode.” Yup. It got the nod. “Metaverse” was the runner-up. “Goblin mode” is defined as “a type of behavior that is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly or greedy typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations.” Uff da. Does that really describe who we are as people right now? I cannot tell if words of affirmation were ever really in the running. I prefer them. These are words or phrases that communicate affection, appreciation and respect for everyone. For example: “I love you.” Now that’s a prize winner. I also like “You got this!” — the phrase my daughter, with her megaphone voice, yells out when my 10-year-old grandson comes up to bat in a baseball game. At the end of his games, win or lose, she always says “I am so proud of you.” For older adults, the phrase “Your friendship is important to me” is a definite winner. Another affirmation might be “Thank you for all you do for the family … the neighborhood … the community.” Just the stand-alone words of “friendship” or “community” might be good selections to have in the running. Another approach to more positivism in the public square could be an increased use of affirming adjectives. Consider using one of the following adjectives to acknowledge a friend or someone in your family during this holiday season. How about “adaptable” or “creative” or “courageous”? I think my personal favorite is “enchanting.” What if we all strove to be more enchanting in the coming year? And that introduces yet another approach to incorporating a more positive mindset. Consider adopting a self-affirming statement you elect to use daily. Lately, I have been saying to myself “I focus on the good.” I think when I say that phrase every day, more good enters my life. For example, I have been using it all week, and a few prickly family issues seem to be resolving themselves. Maybe it was in response to the holiday season, but I am going with the affirmation idea. As a practical matter, any self-affirmation should start with “I” or “will.” As illustration, if you want to stay in a festive, holiday mood, but you are feeling a little wobbly, you might try: “I will find bliss in small, daily joys.” I would be really joyful if next year’s Oxford English Dictionary word of the year was “bliss” or some equivalent. The word of the year, or “WOTY,” as it is often termed, is intended to “reflect the most important word or expression in the public sphere in the preceding year.” This year’s WOTY choice is a reminder about how much work we have to do in this area, so we should get started now. It’s up to each of us. I like to think “you got this.” Sharon Johnson is a retired educator. Reach her at [email protected]