I Can’t Find the Words

Unlocking my verbal vault

I've noticed lately that I’m having trouble finding the exact words I want to use in conversation. And, while I’d like to say the word I’m looking for is, “just on the tip of my tongue,” the truth is that it hasn’t even made it out of the word vault in the deep recesses of my brain. It’s nowhere near my tongue. If only! As soon as I realize the vault to that word isn’t opening, I instantly start to search for the second tier words that I can use to describe the first word I’m looking for. It’s like my conversations are becoming more a stressful game of Taboo than a pleasant connection with a friend.

Being a recovering pessimist, this worries me at first, as I say to myself, “Well, looks like Alzheimer’s is coming early!”  But as an optimist in training, I decided to give myself a better narrative to chew on. So, I did some research and discovered that like so many other things, if you don’t use it, you lose it. So, in order to not lose my words, I’ve decided the next new thing (to me) is growing my word options. Turns out that regularly expanding your vocabulary keeps the verbal part of your brain primed and ready for action. And, keeping your brain in this continuous growth spurt can keep memory mishaps to a minimum.

Think about it – words are the building blocks of our thoughts. They're like Lego pieces that we use to construct the castles of our ideas. And just like with Legos, the more pieces you have, the more magnificent your creation can be. Vocabulary isn't just about sounding educated; it's about making sure your thoughts have a sturdy foundation and a fancy turret or two, which I love!

So, I’m not suggesting we all become walking thesauruses (although that would be an interesting sight to see). But there's a whole world of words out there just waiting to be used. So, without further ado, here are a few gems that I’m adding to my repertoire. You wanna join me?:

1. Sanguine - Feeling like the sun is perpetually shining in your mental forecast.

2. Pedantic - A word you can accuse someone of who is constantly correcting the minor details of what you are saying.

3. Ephemeral - Blink, and you'll miss it. A word for things that are here today, gone tomorrow.

4. Exegesis - It's like being a detective, but for texts. Especially the ancient, cryptic ones.

5. Zeitgeist - The spirit of the times, encapsulated in one snazzy word.

6. Ineffable - When words throw their hands up in surrender.

7. Harangue - A speech so long and intense, it's like verbal fireworks.

8. Imperious - When someone's ego needs a bigger house to fit in.

9. Obfuscate - The attempt to confuse someone by deliberately making something more difficult than it needs to be.

10. Erudite - If your knowledge is a library, being erudite means having the ability to quote the classics and converse about the deepest subjects with flair.

So, there you have it, linguistic adventurers! The quest to expand our vocabulary isn't just about collecting shiny new words; it's about building bridges between our synapses, creating networks of understanding, and maintaining mental agility. After all, who wouldn't want a brain that's as sharp as a tack and as playful as a puppy?

Here's to a future where words flow like a waterfall, where the tip of the tongue becomes a launching pad rather than a stumbling block. Let's keep our minds nimble, our language rich, and our memory rock-solid. Who knows, with the right words at our disposal, our outlook on life might go from dismal to sanguine! In this ever-shifting zeitgeist, our minds can be the beacon of erudition, illuminating the path forward and dispelling the clouds of ineffable uncertainties. So, fear not the harangue of elusive words, for armed with the luminous sword of an expanding vocabulary, we can rise above obfuscation and embrace the resplendent art of articulate expression.

If you want to join me in the journey, try to use one of these words in a fun sentence in the comments!