Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Hortatory – Wordplay Wednesday™ 02/06/2019


Advice to the Lovelorn ~ Love Yourself First

With St. Valentine’s Day coming up next week, smitten society is scrambling for the perfect declaration of lovvvvvvvve.

Although some religions (mainly Christian) try to attribute the loverly day to a venerable saint or other religious rite, historical accounts are ambiguous at best and multiple stories abound. Just one: Marriage was once illegal!

So we’ll stick with the modern love angle. If you’re currently living alone, but not lonely, show your love for life in general. This week, be especially …

HORTATORY (hôrʹtɘ tôrʹē) adj. – 1) serving to encourage or urge to good deeds; 2) exhorting, giving advice [also hortative]. [WW #202] 

Good deeds and gentle encouragement are certainly expressions of love. Giving advice on love, however, is tricky at best and disastrous when gone awry. Late comedian, Lou Costello (of famed duo, Abbott & Costello), receives hardhearted hortatory guidance in a grea told movie clip from Wife Wanted. Appropriately, a Valentine’s month offering, February 1954. Agnes … do you think you could ever fall in love? he implores. Alas, he is chasing cupid for all the wrong reasons.

Love comes in many forms and declaring your undying affection to your heart’s desire can be tricky. But hope springs eternal! Thinking of adopting a pet? Do it on St. Valentine’s Day! Your hortatory gesture will certainly earn the unconditional love of an adorable canine, feline, or iguana, if you feel the love.

Grandkids, nieces, nephews and extended family of all ages may be in need of your particular style of hortatory attention that takes on special meaning when coupled with a Valentine. A visit, card in the mail, or phone call could warm hearts—theirs and yours.

Be creative … most of all … share your love. It’s worth it and often comes back to you tenfold.
 
Word Challenge: HORTATORY. St. Valentine’s Day isn’t all diamond rings and chocolates. Make it special for yourself too, as you fit hortatory into your week of sentimental writing.

Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

           

LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. The true behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz

 

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