Summer Solstice and Precision of Language

Today at 2:43pm, Pacific time, marks the Summer Solstice.

We often mistakenly label this as "the longest day of the year," but what this day really is is the day with the most daylight, of the year.

In many places, there will be "Midsummer Celebrations" on this day. Again, this is a funny label to use, given that today actually marks the first day of summer.

Don't get me wrong, I do love this time of the year!

However, thinking about the longest day of the year and midsummer made me also reflect on the myriad ways in which we tend to "mislabel" the things of life... and the resultant confusions that arise, sometimes leading to anger, arguments and even fights and wars.

"Precision of Language" is a term that is used in the book and subsequent movie "The Giver," and considers this exact issue we face, as part of the human experience.

I wonder how much strife and how many hurt feelings could be avoided if people paid more attention to the precision of their words. when they speak.

Waiting For "Something" to Happen

"When I finish my classes, I will get in shape!"

"When I have a new car, I'll be on time for work!"

"When I have more time, I'll take up Yoga!"

I'd hazard a guess that there are very few people on the planet who have not used the "when... then" line of thinking to sidestep the fact that they are avoiding doing something, or feeling resentful about something they don't like doing, or being passive-aggressive about something.

We all have things in our lives we feel deeply resistant about, for any number of reasons.

For any other number of reasons — most of them relating to our personal image or ego — we avoid being honest about them for fear others will somehow think less of us, or think us lazy and unmotivated, or it does suit our own "personal mythologies" to face the truth.

However, there is a great release and relief in letting go of the need for deception. These are psychological and spiritual burdens we can lay down... and it actually creates space in our essence for more important and relevant things!

What deceptions can you let go of?