Words

Picture this: a cute little baby looking up at you. What is the first thing young parents try to teach this little person? It comes before walking or potty training . . . the answer is words. Babies start the process of word formation with phonation, then cooing and gooing, which leads to babbling, and finally morphemes and lexicons (words) [whole/ parts]. Why is it that such an emphasis is put on learning words? Words are really just a combination of sounds that carry meaning only to those familiar with the sound combination [definition]. But these unique sound combinations make possible the expression of an infinite amount of topics via various different modes of transmission [possible/ Impossible]. Some words are just unforgettable, like: "I love you," "I do," "It's a boy," "mama," "I hate you," or any degree of name calling. The point is, words can be used to reach positive, uplifting ends . . . or not so positive and destructive ends [Contradictions]. But ultimately, words are going to be learned from reliable sources like dictionaries and teachers, or not such trustworthy sources such as friends and T.V. shows [Contradictions]. Therefore, if a parent understands that "the pen is mightier than the sword" [Maxims and Proverbs], then, they recognize their superior role in helping their children learn to effectively and properly use words [Antecedent and Consequences]. The most important understanding we can reach in regards to words are their varying degrees of permanence. Those words whispered to oneself in a reflection or absentmindedly written on a misplaced sticky note may not last a lifetime; but, others that are shouted into a camera, thrust onto the internet, or tattooed on the body itself can last just that long [Degree]. The emotion that charges those words can lead to enhancing its permanence [Cause and Effect]. The moral of the story is, regardless of how effectively or ineffectively you have used your words in the past, you can choose to use them more purposefully and knowledgeably looking forward [Past Fact/ Future Fact].

Answering the Arbitrary and Ancient

What is love?  This is my love!  

Building off of a similar theme as Katie, the all too commonly heard question delivered by Haddaway [Witness, Authority?] must be asked: "What is love?" [Maxims and Proverbs].  Men and women are both vastly different creatures, quarreling oft at any given turn, yet  are more or less dependent on one another for both survival and life fulfillment through "love" [Contradiction].  Both sides share a common interest in one another, but are still opposite in nature and demeanor from one another [Similarity / Difference].  So, why is it that this concept, defined by Merriam-Webster in one instance as "a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person" [Definition], so very difficult to understand?  Why has this age-old predicament been the topic of discussion since forever, and why will it continue to be so [Past Fact / Future Fact]? 

To begin answering the unanswerable (or unsatisfactorily answerable) question, the concept of love must first be broken down into its various components [Whole / Parts].  Of love, there is a mental/emotional sphere, a physical/sexual sphere, and a spiritual/supernatural sphere.  Some of these aspects are more cut-and-dried than the others, but some are just the way they are for reasons unexplainable [The Supernatural].  Perhaps it is this very dilemma of having so many factors in it that makes love humanity's great enigma [Cause / Effect].  Needless to say, one may take all of the logic and reasoning behind definitions and examples, trying to fit the pieces together for an ultimate truth, but at the end of the day there is always a sense of mystery and unknowing.  Many things in life can be spelled out plainly, but love cannot be fully done so, especially by all-encompassing terminology [Possible / Impossible]. 

There are varying levels of love, various definitions and nuances, and various displays of love [Degree] according to each individual and couple, so it is only natural that the topic of definition continues to be debated today [Antecedent / Consequence].  It could be that this longwinded post served nothing but to confuse, but what do you think love is?  

Ode to the Sandwich

Many people do not think about how they could improve their culinary satisfaction by changing the way they eat simple foods. Take an ordinary sandwich for example. Sandwiches are usually a quick meal for when you are in a hurry and they are usually not very remarkable, unless they are prepared properly. A properly prepared sandwich is one that is assembled and then cut in half diagonally so as to ensure the most delicious eating experience [Definition]. You may think this is ridiculous, since the uncut and cut sandwiches should have the same flavor due to being composed of the same ingredients. However, if the sandwich is cut in half then the flavors are much better distributed [Antecedent/Consequence]. Sometimes an uncut sandwich allows toppings to fall out of the opposite side of the bread; virtually a sandwich disaster!

When you eat a sandwich the ideal situation is to get a piece of tender meat, succulent cheese, crispy lettuce, and juicy tomato in each bite, or else the experience of the sandwich is not complete [Whole/parts]. The timing of the sandwich eating process is also important. Cutting the sandwich in half allows for the eater to enjoy the soft, inside bread while still in the beginning stages of eating and leaves the crust for when the eater has already begun to take the sustenance for granted [Cause/Effect]. If eating an uncut sandwich is plain and ordinary then eating a sandwich cut in half is fun and exciting [Contraries]! After all, eating an uncut sandwich is like drinking a cup of hot cocoa. It tastes good, but it is much better if a little more effort was put it, either in the form of adding whipped cream or simply cutting it in half [Similarity/Difference]. Now, you may be hesitant to go out of your way and try to make a properly prepared sandwich, but after you try one you will be cutting all of your sandwiches in half [Past Fact/Future Fact]. Don’t be tempted to get lazy and say that an uncut sandwich is good enough because a properly prepared sandwich is infinitely better [Degrees]. I’m just saying that there is a reason that Subway cuts all of their sandwiches in half [Authority], but don’t take my word for it. Go with your gut instinct and try it for yourself, cut your next sandwich in half before you eat it [Supernatural]!