Words are a big deal.
No matter how many times we chant―sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me―some part of us knows this is not true.
True, they can‘t break bones, but that‘s because words don‘t operate in the physical dimension. Jump into the emotional dimension and it‘s a very different story.
Centuries ago, words were
thought to be capable of casting spells and driving out demons. History is replete with lovers wooing the loved one—not with wine, or flowers, or the crown jewels—but with the humble word.
Politicians today know full well how they are chained to their words, which can turn entire lives upside down in an instant. Verbal abuse is even acknowledged in our legal system as a source of actual damage.
It is odd, when you think about it. After all, words have no taste, no smell, no sound, no color, no texture … they are, actually, almost nothing.
And yet, they are everything.
Why?
Because, like your art, words have the power to excite our imaginations.
So, you’re thinking: What’s all of this got to do with covid?
Take one more look at the title of this post: Why I Spell covid-19 This Way
Notice two things: 1) I do not capitalize covid, even though the entire title is in Title Case, and 2) I do not even use the SMALL ALL CAPS as you see in many publications.
This is my itty-bitty rebellion against a force of such magnitude that it has turned the world of our entire World upside down.
When you capitalize or use SMALL CAPS, it immediately confers an elevated status. We capitalize words that are proper nouns, in much the same spirit as we do for positions of importance: The Queen, for instance. Or President, or Dr.
And SMALL CAPS stands out visually, creating another distinct level of importance.
Right now, correct editorial elements be damned, I refuse to give covid-19 any more elevation than it already has in my psyche, or anyone else’s.
From me, covid deserves nothing more than lower case.
Next up? How to Use the Power of Your Intention to Get Results
Wishing you…
Your Truth. Your Power. Your Word..claim it!
P.S. It’s your turn: What are you doing, right now, to deflate the drumbeat of this monumental virus?
P.S.S. And remember, since words excite our imagination, your artist statement has the power to double the impact of your creative gift to our NewWorld!
Hi again,
Thanks for this posting! I feel exactly the same way! I am getting out regulary with mask and gloves and facing the world as we should (prepared). My town has weathered this storm quite well as we are geographically isolated and and I WILLNOT give in to fear. Really waiting for the swim facility to open as I am a fish out of water at the moment but want to start creating again. Bit of a mental block right now. Stay tuned/Stay Healthy
Hi Maryanne,
Do you have any sense of what’s happening around your “mental block” as you call it?
Hi, Ariane!
I’m a nature photographer based in New York City. The city is still mostly locked down, including the botanical gardens — my primary locations for the creation of new images. Since it’s unclear as to when I’ll be able to get back out into the field, I’ve decided to regularly post some of my most calming scenes of nature on social media in a series I call, “Visions of Hope.” Commensurate with view on words, my images are accompanied by uplifting phrases or passages to help people deal with this worldwide health crisis.
Oh, F.M., what a great way to move forward even when you’re standing still! Yay you!
I love your explanation of the power of words. However, I humbly disagree with your premise about COVID-19. It is an acronym for Corona Virus 2019, so why not treat it that way? ….like the NBA or PBS, etc.?
By spelling it in lower case you are actually drawing more attention to it because it is misspelled and not as we are accustomed to seeing it. My eyes stumble on it when I read it.
My two cents! 🙂
Yes, Carol, I do agree with you that for some people treating covid-19 differently brings another level of attention to it, as well as raising hackles about “misspelling,” which is a real stickler for some.
But, for me, when I look at your comment as a visual landscape of words and letters, covid sticks out like a sore thumb. It’s big, it’s intrusive, it’s far more intimidating than either NBA or PBS. And, I like devaluing it in my own small way. It feels right…for me.
P.S. Just saw this in MIT’s Technology Review: “Why covid-19 is especially dangerous for the elderly”
I am adapting to the changes that the pandemic has caused but not giving it much due other than that. I still am working on designs, encouraging other artists on Instagram and purchasing materials through small businesses I have always dealt with, realizing it is going to take more time to get them. An exhibition I was hoping to be in through a local fiber art group I belong to has been canceled until 2022 which seems surreal to me. In the meantime I check on friends and relatives more often but the pandemic is rarely a topic of conversation or texts any more.
Yes, Debbie, living our lives in spite of. I’m impressed you can do that. I don’t buy into the fear factor very much, but I do keep track of it’s impact on a regular basis. For some of us, that helps with the fear. For others, it exacerbates the fear.
Do you have other ways of showing your work that could fill in the gap until 2022?
I’m not obsessing about this. It’s just another thing in my life. No more —No less, and the pony in the manure pile is I’m given the gift of having more time to reflect on my work and revaluate where I should be going and what I should be doing. I’m off to my studio every morning and I have no idea what day it is and there is no reason to care. I can completely immerse myself in my art. I’m surprised at how little I miss when I ponder the situation. Today was 9 am till midnight. Just me, my thoughts and ideas, my creative energy and my motorcycle art project. Bliss.
Oh, yes, bliss any day of the week is more than welcome. As for that pony, or should I say motorcycle, sounds like a blue ribbon to me, Bob!