Prisha Khimavat

This is part of a writing challenge. Click here to read more about it.

I once read something somewhere about of oddity of the written language. Letters are random lines that we assign sounds to, and those sound combined with other sounds form words which we also assign meaning to, and then all those words in a certain order mean different things. So when we look at a page of writing we are just looking at the tattooed corpse of a tree with scribbles that we have assigned meaning to.

Now, the phrase that I repeated multiple times is “we have assigned meaning.” I find that to be an extremely fascinating facet of human nature: assigning meaning. We have defined so many things throughout history, for instance, those words we described earlier, or even sayings that have now become cliche. There is a meaning to everything and a connotation to each meaning. Sure there are feelings and emotions, and perhaps many other things that remaining unnamed, and yet, there is shared meaning. Other words we use to describe that which remains unnamed until it’s common enough to be named.

More than words there are many other things that have meaning. Waving to a person, maintaining eye contact, not making eye contact, posture, facial expressions, or even the way we dress. All these things, amongst many others, convey a message. Waving symbolizes a greeting, eye contact could signify confidence as could posture. Each facial expression conveying something different and the way we dress could convey background, current plans, preference, and a lot more. Everything that we do, everything we choose to present to others, and even somethings that we don’t all convey something.

So, what is it that we’re conveying about ourselves every single day? Through our words, expressions and presentation? What messages are we sending, and what messages are others receiving?

When it comes to me, I don’t really know the answers, but it’s worth thinking about.

~ Prisha Khimavat ~

Duration: 30 minutes and 22 seconds