Reflections 10/31/2020: I have never heard this term before… “contronym.” A word that, depending on the circumstance, can actually have the exact opposite meaning! I guess I’ve stumbled upon these contronyms before, confused with how to apply them in their particular sentence, but didn’t realize there was actually a category for them. As I think about this, it kinda captures the confusion (and resulting animosity) of our present society. Words mean totally different things to different groups of people! Example? Patriotism: a positive love of one’s own country, or a negative nationalism that is actually dangerous. Our very conflicting lenses cause us to perceive the same word, (or event) in exactly opposite ways! Our whole culture is being built on a minefield of explosive contronyms! Even concrete facts don’t yield concrete conclusions! We all run those facts through our socio-political grids, coming out with the exact opposite meanings! Perhaps recognizing these contronyms (in specific words or larger concepts) might help us not become so inflamed by their seemingly wrong usage. And enable us to understand why the opposite interpretation has merit too. God, quiet my reactionary mind so I am able to do this… and most of all not slap malicious motives on those who interpret things differently than me. They are wanting the best for our country too… they just are taking a different route to try and get there. We can’t eliminate contronyms, but we can at least recognize that there might be more than one meaning in how we interpret them!
Reflections October 16, 2020
Reflections 10/16/2020: We live along a street where people routinely walk their dogs. I love to sit outside and watch the dynamics of the dogs and their masters. Almost all of the dogs glance up at their human every few steps as they make their way along the street. Not sure if this is a gesture hopeful for affirmation, or an acknowledgment of their master being just that, their master… the one to guide,direct and protect them. Some breeds seem more needy of this constant reconnection, but surprisingly, even the more independent breeds develop this ‘check-in’ often routine. Roo has NOT shown much propensity for this yet. His puppy curiosity, self-assurance and adolescent cockiness makes him almost oblivious to my presence! “Mom, don’t cramp my style!” So yesterday’s adventure was a wake-up call! We ventured out on our maiden voyage to the nearby 60 acre dog-off-leash park. “What? No restraint?” At first he was enthralled by his new-found freedom! Bushes to explore without a leash to tangle him, or an annoying mommy to curb his efforts! But as he began to encounter many other dogs, also unrestrained, he realized the world wasn’t as safe a place as he reckoned! Mommy became more important to him… his source of protection, guidance and reassurance. Roo began the frequent head tilt I have been waiting for! God, how that reminds me of my Freshman year in college, off-leash for the first time! Exposed, influences from all directions, black ice slipperiness! Luckily my love relationship with You had already begun to take root, so I had discovered the comfort of that frequent glance in Your direction. Protection. Guidance. Reassurance. Still employ that frequent head tilt to this day. I hope that blesses Your heart as much as Roo’s burgeoning tilt does mine!
