Make Your Own Dictionary

Words mean more to us than their definitions. Words have connotations and associations that enhance or complicate their meanings. For instance, the words "trust" and "faith" have similar definitions, but through social, cultural, and personal influences, their connotations and associations are very different. The word "trust" has links to friendship, marriage, banks, etc., whereas "faith" has links to church, spirituality, death, etc. Then, we have our personal experiences with the words that further specify their meanings.

Writing Ritual:

1) List out specific words that have particular significance in your life. Perhaps words that you heard or still hear your mother, father, grandparent, or sibling say frequently. Words that began a transition in your life. Food, colors, activities, verbs. Words that you are afraid of.  

2) Try writing out personal "definitions" to the words you've listed. For example: Pancakes--A soft, flat cake prepared each morning by Mom from grades 1 through 9. Couldn't eat them unless they were no bigger than a silver dollar. Never cover in syrup because sogginess is gross. Eat like a cookie. Brother was always in bad mood in the mornings until he ate his. Brother and sister would compete on the weekends to see who could eat the most, while I ate Kix cereal. I stopped eating them all together in grade 7. 

This exercise is a fun experiment in memoir writing. Have a reminiscent day! Chirp...chirp...