Don’t ask me why, but I had scenes from Eat, Pray, Love (the book) running through my head this morning. More specifically, I kept thinking about the part of the book where Elizabeth Gilbert is living in Italy and talking to someone about the word that describes her. If I remember the scene correctly, the man she is conversing with told her that every city, every person has a word. Rome’s word was “sex” and New York’s was “achieve.”
And that is what got me thinking about my word.
So I thought…
…and thought…
and thought some more.
See, I look at this exercise like I do personality tests. Every time I’m forced to answer questions about who I am, how I behave, etc, I always think that it would be better for someone else to answer for me. Don’t get me wrong…I do my best to be truthful and I really do know myself, but I still think a better “analysis” of my personality would come come from talking to those who know me best.
That is why, after a lot of thinking, I enlisted the help of those who have known me for a very long time. I had a word in mind, but I wanted to see what some of my best friends thought, so I sent out a mass text – “If you could pick one word to describe me, what would it be?”
And truth be told, it was fun seeing the words that were selected. It was also interesting that while only two people came back with the same word, most fell into a similar category.
So after some more thinking, I think I finally have my word….
PASSIONATE!
And believe it or not, this was the word I had in mind from the beginning, and the word two of my friends also picked.
The reason I picked this particular word is because I tend to get very emotional, intense, worked up, etc. about the things that mean a lot to me. Once I’m invested in something, it’s really hard for me to pull away. And I’ve pretty much been that way my entire life. Which brings me to my next point…
I think whatever word you select should retain its truth for a lifetime. It should be the word that defines who you are at your very core. Your dreams, aspirations, desires, etc. should somehow be reflected in this word.
But then again, I know a lot of people who would disagree with me and say that it’s stupid to pick just one word and for an entire lifetime at that.
I still hold true to my belief but am really interested to see what others think about this.
What do you think – is it possible to select one word to describe who you are and have it hold true for a lifetime? If so, what’s your word?
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Oh boy that’s tough!
I guess I’d say “hopeful” because despite setbacks, I always have hope for better times.
I love that, Shanna. Hope is a beautiful thing…it can get you through a lot.
i’d say dreamer. i daydream a lot. it’s probably not healthy though 🙂
i’m pretty funny too.
i dont’ know. 🙂
My mom is a dreamer too (see above), and I think it’s a wonderful thing. We need more dreamers in this world.
I like this post a lot…very though provoking! I’m not sure I can summarise myself in only one word but I would definitely say I am optimistic…for the future and just life in general! I always try to say the best in people/situations and while some may argue that it’s not a realistic approach, it works for me :)!
Just from reading your blog over the past few months, I would say optimist fits you well! 🙂
Love this post! 🙂 Hmm, I would have to say determined. I don’t believe that anything is out of reach and I have always been super determined to achieve the things I have wanted to achieve, go the places I have wanted to go etc etc. I don’t believe in the word no, or ‘you can’t’ or even boundaries to an extent. I think most if not all of the boundaries we face are flimsy and self imposed… I know there will be people who say this is unrealistic but It’s what I believe. I think it must be the aries in me! 😉
There will always be naysayers. I say the fun in being passionate and determined is showing those people that they were wrong!
Very thoughtful post! I love it. Eventhogh it’s hard to put in one word, I can say I am ‘go getter’ but to be that way i think you have to be a dreamer and determined to go get it:) My parents always told me i am a dreamer, for the longest time I did not appreciate that but now i am looking back and see that yes i am a dreamer and that is why I am where I am. This works for me 🙂
I love you my Sunshine!
I would agree with your assessment! I think you’re a dreamer too, but I see it as a very positive thing. I think your dreams are the reason Aek and I are where we are! Love you!
I still think INSPIRED is a better adjective for you. “Passionate” is overused and unoriginal. And you are not unoriginal. But that’s just my two cents….love you!