As an SLP, are you still awed by the power of a single word?

“The development of language is part of the development of the personality, for words are the natural means of expressing thoughts and establishing understanding between people.” —Maria Montessori

We know the absolute power a single word can hold.

As SLPs we are privileged to celebrate daily the power contained in a single word. We see children use newly acquired vocabulary and adults rediscover words lost after a stroke. We watch students use a communication device to make a request or form an opinion.

Are you still awed by the power of a word?

the one word gift that lasts a whole year

Six years of picking one word and the gift keeps on giving

I’ve got a suggestion that may lead you back to wonder at this smallest unit of meaning.

We’ve all made and broken a long list of new year’s resolutions. Well, several years ago a different kind of new year’s exercise caught on like wildfire and I jumped in with both feet.

It’s simple. Instead of making a long list of resolutions that can be frustrating and self-defeating, choose one single word to focus on for the entire year.

You can tie your word to a goal or something you want to cultivate or improve. Your word could be something you want more or less of in your life. There is no right or wrong way to choose. (This book explains how to start such a practice and why it is so valuable.)

I’ve found that when I sit in stillness toward the end of a year, paying attention to the subtle creaks and groans of movement in my soul, a word will rise. It really does feel like the word chooses me. And when I invite that word into my consciousness a hopeful curiosity awakens.

This process fascinates the SLP in me and reminds me of the power of our language. The assumption that one word could carry enough meaning to last an entire year amazes me.

THIS, my word of 2017, was different from the others I’ve chosen. Kind of a weird and unassuming. But it prompted me throughout this year in just the right ways to stay present: in this moment, with this person, in this problem, at this place. It showed up when other words failed to describe all I wanted to remember. Actually, I’m not ready to let it go.

This summer my dear friend chased me down in the hotel parking lot on the day our daughter got married. She thrust this small bowl into my hands. Her timing with this was perfect and no other gift has meant so much this year.

I encourage you to explore this exercise. Choosing words for the year with friends or family members provides an encouraging touchpoint throughout the year. I’ve found that picking one word becomes a grounding anchor when faced with the uncertainty of a new calendar year.

Don’t you get such a kick discovering connections between what you know about speech and language and other areas of life?

Have you ever chosen a word for the year? Feel free to share your word and something you learned in the process.

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