Happy April, and welcome to Day 1 of the month-long A-to-Z blog challenge where many hundreds of folks are posting their way through the alphabet. Be sure to check out the myriad of fabulous blog players here.
I love language, especially strange and wonderful words, and I love manifestos, although I’ve never written one myself. But I’m challenging myself this month to work my way through the alphabet publicly declaring what I believe, what I intend, what I envison, what I love, what lights my heart; each day focused through the lens of another unusual word.
Today’s word is plucked from the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows – a beautiful, ever-growing compendium of invented words by John Koneig; each word tasked with giving name to an emotion we might all experience and yet don’t yet have a word for.
ambedo
“n. a kind of melancholic trance in which you become completely absorbed in vivid sensory details—raindrops skittering down a window, tall trees leaning in the wind, clouds of cream swirling in your coffee—briefly soaking in the experience of being alive, an act that is done purely for its own sake.”
I noticed I had slipped into this state when I was watering a small bouquet of lovely flowers seen below.
I became entranced by the edges of the petals, and suddenly I slipped deeper and deeper in the wondering – how is it we hold our edges? What do we lean into, what do we pull back from? These are all things that define our edges. We often think of edges as hard and straight, but indeed they can be soft and curved, ruffled even. We can follow edges outward or have them pull us inward. But they clearly define us. They form the container of who we are.
To be fully alive we have to travel along our edges living in the fullness of who we are. That’s what life is for. But we don’t live permanently in this state – we remember and we forget. We find things and we lose them. We dance between the epic and the ordinary.
Just as edges define us, manifestos are meant to declare who we are, and so perhaps this month you’ll be traversing my edges and coming to know me better.
I welcome ambedo and its invitation to both get lost and to remember. I want to keep my senses and heart open to the beauty around me as much as I can, and I want that to help guide me to my leading edges always.
What about you? What do you want to declare today? What “A” word is descriptive of something important to you? What unusual thing have you noticed? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
I love this. Edges. All from petals. Very lovely. I couldn’t get the pictures. They just didn’t show up. I don’t know if it is from my end or yours. Anyway, I loved the writing!
Peace,
Mary
Oh, just as I sent my comment, the pictures showed up. Pretty edges.
Thanks for stopping by Mary – and wishing you an edgy and wonderful April.
Ambedo – My Oxford dictionary does not have the word. Good to know a new word.
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It’ll be lovely when someday the words in the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows get included in the Oxford dictionary. Thanks so much for stopping by.
“Dance between the epic and the ordinary” Love it! Going to have to keep a notebook handy for all the new words I’ll learn from you! Great start!
LOL – perfect Janet! Here’s to a wonderful April where we all learn lots and have plenty of fun as well.
Hi Deborah – I’ve had to pull out .. but that’s they way life throws things at us occasionally .. these words will be so useful -great idea …
Cheers Hilary
Sorry you won’t be playing Hilary, but we’ll look forward to you posts whenever they appear. And thanks so much for stopping by.
I think to be able to experience ambedo is a good quality for writers to have. It’ll certainly help when we think about the details we want for our story’s settings.
I agree. Thanks so much for stopping by Cynthia – and happy April.
A is all about adventure for me today. Especially this wonderful A to Z journey for meeting and greeting so many others!
Happy A to Z – ing!
Thank you for posting for the A to Z!
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What a perfect description – this does feel like a wonderful April adventure doesn’t it?
Interesting use of A.
I’d say my A word for today is Ambition. I’ve been thinking of everything I want to achieve and what I need to do now to get closer to it.
Right now, it’s really difficult to avoid getting caught up in the craziness that’s my life at the moment, but it’s necessary at the same time, or I’d get stuck.
All the best with April!
Nice A word Misha. Hope April proves to be a wonderful month for you!
What a fun resource find in the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, Deborah! Thanks for the pointer. As for me, i suppose it’s apropos to say April is an important “A” word. It marks my favorite season of spring, boasts buds and flowers galore and the warmth and sunshine it brings after the grey and cold of winter is so welcoming. Enjoy the challenge.
DoOS is indeed a fabulous thing – I’m glad to have introduced you to it Nanette. April is a wonderful month. I love the beautiful unfolding of Spring too.
A wonderful start into the challenge and for your manifesto!
Thanks Claudia – I’m delighted you stopped by. Wishing you a wonderful April.
Ambedo!
I think I have this about animals and flowers…perhaps clouds…I get lost in the interaction.
What a great theme! Loved your site.
Cherdo
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Animals, flowers, and clouds – these are perfect examples for me as well. Thanks so much for stopping by Cherdo, and happy April.
Awesome start Deborah! Good luck with the challenge.
Evalina, This and that…
Thanks Evalina – wishing the same for you as well.
I am excited about your theme, Deborah. It’s ephemeral, and yet deep and timeless. I think it should be a book.
What kind words Amy – thank you.