Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ve tasked myself with writing a manifesto of what I believe and hold dear, based on unusual words.
Today we’re visiting the letter G, and I’d like to introduce you to a Dutch word Gezelligheid.
Gezelligheid means “the warmth of being with loved ones.”
I feel very lucky indeed to have been steeping in Gezelligheid lately. I recently attended an annual retreat where I gather with a dear group of friends/sparklemates (isn’t that a fabulous word?! – thank you Candace!). It’s such a joy to gather and spend time working and playing together with these beautiful beings. I feel like a sponge drinking up all the goodness, and sometimes I have to pinch myself wondering how I’ve managed to be part of all this wonderfulness.
And just as much as I love being with this group of friends, there is also the delight of coming home and being with my family again. I’ve been basking in that these past few days as well.
How fortunate and grateful I am. I love that the Dutch have a word for this. I wonder if it helps keep that awareness more in the forefront. I don’t ever want to become jaded about this. I see that a lot – this sort of forgetting the joy of being with those you love. Perhaps having a word in your language to describe it makes it easier to acknowledge and harder to forget.
I suspect one of the reasons I’m attracted to unusual and new-to-me words is how expansive it feels. Each presents an opportunity to see a little bit more into the world; to understand something a bit more clearly; to open up a new vista. I especially like words from other languages that seem to suggest the native speakers look at things differently than the paradigm my language works in. It feels exponentially powerful and spacious as though it pulls at my edges. I love that.
I love living in a world where we get to experience Gezelligheid. To be held in love is a precious thing and I hope we can all do that for one another.
What about you? Are you in love with a foreign word? A favorite feeling word? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
What a fabulous word! I feel in Gezelligheid when I’m with my family and when I go to church. I go to a Unity church and the crowd there is overwhelmingly loving. Hugs abound!
Thanks for introducing me to this magnificent word!
Michele at Angels Bark
Sounds wonderful Michele. Yay to abounding hugs!
Another wonderful word to lighten my day! Thank you for sharing all of these, Debra. I’ve been trying to comment on your other posts, but each time I click “submit” I get knocked offline and my comment vanishes! Today I’m trying another server to see if things work better. We’ll see!
I’m delighted you stopped by Valerie, and I’m glad you succeeded in commenting.
Hurray, success! I just wanted to let you know that I’ve been reading these posts avidly and enjoying them very much. Thanks again!
How kind Valerie – thank you!
That is a lovely word. Your group of sparklefriends sound wonderful, too. I also like learning new words and studying other languages. They can be so descriptive and give insight into their cultures.
Thanks for visiting my blog during the A to Z Challenge.
Mary at Play off the Page
Thanks for visiting Mary. And here’s to all sorts of wonderful words filling our worlds.
Great word and I love the meaning! Sounds like something you say to someone after they sneeze though!
LOL.
Gezelligheid – such a lovely word. I so enjoy my times with my boys and hubby, especially around the dinner table. The laughter and sharing I soak it in and know I’m truly blessed!
Beautiful Yolanda!
This is such a great concept, and I think it is very important to feel truly happy.
Debbie
Indeed Debbie. And it makes me happy you stopped by to say hello – thank you!
This word just made me smile tonight. I just got home from spending the weekend with my family. I didn’t want to go because I had other things to do, but being with my family was worth setting everything else aside. It’s easy to forget that sometimes. It’s nice the Dutch captured this idea so well!
What a perfect example Amy. So glad you had a good time! And thanks for stopping by and saying hi.
i’m married to a dutch man..and i’ve not yet heard this word. i’ll ask him when he gets home. it is a lovely word. thanks for introducing it to me. i enjoy your blog and your archaic/unusual words. what fun!
Nancy Thornton
Lightheaded
How fun you can check this firsthand. Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words.