SHOY - learning new words and the nuance of language

I've taken myself away for the weekend as part of a commitment to give myself some space (physically), creating space for the next phase of my portfolio evolution (mentally) and making space (emotionally).

That's not to say that I'm not sharing this space with cats and a friend visiting for the weekend. Said friend brought with him as part of his reading list a copy of 'Atlas of the Heart' by Brene Brown. I was most fascinated by the choice of literature for just a few days, not least because of the share size and weight of it. Gone are the days of insanely late nights. So far, I've read a chapter before going to bed over a glass of wine and chapter each morning over a coffee.

Truth be told, I shan't finish it before the weekend is over - and over time, it may become a book on my own bookshelf as it will serve as reference material.

What it has done so far is make me review my own definitions of words and how they are used by myself and others - this is a deeper process for all of us, particularly as words are used in the mainstream. For those of you reading this that may be familiar with a Toastmasters club meeting, it is inspiring me to take up the role of grammarian for the purpose of vocabulary - whilst I may have the English language as native, for all of us, the relationship with words is something else.

A new word/term that I've learned in the first 40 pages of the book is:

SHOY:

'Intentionally sharing the joy of someone relating a success story by showing interest and asking follow-up questions'

This one really resonated with me because of my own focus on being intentional for the last 8 months (sometimes I slip) and the work that I have been doing asking questions, less intentionally for the last year.

In a couple of weeks, I'll be delivering a workshop to high school students aged 16-18 as part of a destinations day at their school. I've been invited to focus on communication (public speaking) and articulation skills in this 60 minute session.

The reality - it will give me the opportunity also to unlearn, relearn as I reconnect with language. As adults, we have to refine how we articulate ourselves daily - is it time to be more intentional about this?

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