Wordplay Wednesday™ June 14, 2017 – Unitive

United We Stand … Divided We Fail … um, Fall 

Our country’s founders wisely and wholeheartedly believed “united we stand, divided we fall.” Hence “The United States.” Though they certainly had their differences of opinion, they knew that together they could accomplish more, than each alone. 

Never more poignant than today, after a shooting attack on Republican Congressional leaders and their aides. Did you listen to the sentiments of both sides of the Congressional aisle as they addressed the aftermath?

 

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R.) said, “We are united in our shock, we are united in our anguish. …. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.” House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D.) said the shooting “is an injury in the family”; adding, “we will use this occasion as one that brings us together, not separates us further.”

UNITIVE (yōōʹnɘ tiv) adj. – 1) having or characterized by unity; 2) tending to unite. [WW #116] 

For far too long our Congressional parties have been divided not only in seating arrangements and viewpoints, but in their forgotten oaths to their constituents to work in a unitive manner for the common good. 

We should be a UNITED country. But we are not … because ANY leader, be they president, congressperson, mayor, or manager of a ball team … needs to lead by example. Congress’s example, especially for the past fifty years, has been anything but unitive.

 

Now, if the alienated body that is Congress, which is supposed to be working for ALL of us, will take Ryan and Pelosi’s words to heart and move forward TOGETHER for the good of our country, today’s events will hold unitive meaning for an otherwise senseless act.

And it is OUR duty, as citizens of this UNITED States, to accept our leaders’ actions, or take LAWFUL means to remove, revise, or terminate them. That is unitive democracy.

 

Let peace and unity reign this coming Independence Day … and beyond.

Word Challenge: UNITIVE. Though we are individuals of diversity, we MUST work in unitive steps for The United States, or our reign will end as surely as that of the Western Roman Empire. Think of related parts as a whole, as you fit unitive into this week’s reflective writings.

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

'Til next time ... enjoy a wonderful "wordful" week …

                        

@PenchantForPen

@Irishwriter

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Wordplay Wednesday™ June 7, 2017 – Naif

Channel Your Inner Child to Stay Sane in a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World  

Frustrated by the dire news that dominates our newsfeeds lately, I thought at one point, “our world has run amok.”

That led to a fond memory of a 1964 school trip to San Francisco for a showing of the zany It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, by film director/producer Stanley Kramer.

The title was considered facetious … back when violence and criminality could still be lampooned and viewed as predominantly absurd. My yes … it’s difficult to be innocent and unaware today. We’ve sure mucked up the world …

NAIF (nä ēfʹ) adj. / n. – a naïve person.  [WW #115] 

We used to think a certain air of naivety provided refreshing charm. Today, those who wish to harm us, make the naif features of our psyche dangerous to our health. How sad that we are vulnerable because we want to enjoy the simplicity in life.

In the mid-Sixties, Kramer—through shrewd business acumen, or with a naif bravado— gathered a huge ensemble cast of the early decade’s most popular actors: Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Edie Adams, Phil Silvers, Mickey Rooney, Sid Caesar, and Jonathan Winters. That doesn’t count the supporting cast and cameos that included Jimmy Durante and Peter Falk.

The movie reflected an innocence we thought had been recaptured in the staid Stepford-style lives of the 1950s—mop-up decade following the wake-up call of World War II. The ‘60s began, nurturing our inner naif through a plethora of funny, inane, soul-soothing films.

Mad debuted November 7, 1963—just weeks before a new madness took over the world—the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. We sorely needed its comic relief.

Events of the 1960s would irrevocably change us, our carefree spirit somewhat dampened and wary. But we had no idea that the next century would see naifs become practically extinct.

To watch It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World today, is a breath of fresh air. Maybe a little naif in each of us isn’t so bad … in fact, those of us who retain our inner childlike nature (at least to a small, protective degree), may find these naif qualities are what keeps us sane.

Word Challenge: NAIF. Sanity in an insane world. Consider how you retain your inner child and inclusive sanity as you fit naif into your simple, abstract writings.

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

'Til next time ... enjoy a wonderful "wordful" week …

@PenchantForPen

@Irishwriter

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Wordplay Wednesday™ May 31, 2017 – Abaft

♪ Summertime … and the livin’ is easy …  ♪ *

Well, it seems that way when you’re out on the ocean. Whether a day cruise or a many-days cruise, life waxes idyllic when swaying with the waves. Not a care in the world … until someone asks you to bring them something from …

ABAFT (ɘ baftʹ) adv. – at or toward the stern or rear of a ship; aft. [WW #114]

 

Oh, of course. You knew that! Well, I do too, if it’s where the yummy fruity cocktails are! Just abaft the bridge—of course, then you need to know what/where the bridge is …

And don’t forget to take your fave Jimmy Buffett music along … can’t beat him for summer songs with attitude!

Word Challenge: ABAFT. Think summertime fun and a cruise—be it in a skiff, canoe, kayak, or yacht—and remember, abaft is always bringing up the rear! Cheers to your week, as you fit abaft into your warm summer writings.

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

'Til next time ... enjoy a wonderful "wordful" week …

                       

@PenchantForPen

@Irishwriter

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*“Summertime” by Janis Joplin, 1969—the queen of the ‘60s counterculture.

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