Here in the U.S., we often use a word differently, as I regrettably discovered on this blog some time ago when I said I enjoyed wearing suspenders. I was not referring to the enjoyment of wearing a garter belt – which actually might be something different to try – but I was referring to those American suspenders that hold up your pants.
Another word that we Americans often use differently is the word, resonate. We often use it to describe an agreement with an idea. I once joined an online study of one of Richard Rohr’s books. I was reluctant because I didn’t want to be part of any religious community, formal or informal.
My hesitation soon proved to be valid (at least in my little ole mind) as the online discussions always seemed to use the word – resonate. I mean I bet I read that word a hundred times in the discussion forums. “That really resonates with me…” it started to feel like some sort of code word required for membership. That was incredibly dumb on my part and was reflective of my own issues. I guess I was/am ultra careful about membership in almost anything.
I suppose every topic, community, genre has its go-to words. When I was in higher education, I used to hear the word “pedagogy” 10 times a week. You don’t hear that word much down on the farm.
As I sit and write this (actually I am using my middle finger to select the letters on my cellphone which looks like I am flipping someone off a few hundred times) I can hear these wonderful little wind chimes that are on the front porch. The breeze is light and I am letting the puppy wrestle with Gracie on the front lawn. The chimes provide the perfect sound for how I feel today. I guess you could say they – God forbid- resonate with me or in me perhaps. Even better, the chimes were a gift from a local school group for survivors of the fire that wiped out our town. Not only are they beautiful to hear, but a reminder of unconditional love and resilience. I guess that resonates with me too.
Stories resonate with me. Some poems do too. Very often a song will resonate with me. Occasionally a teacher or an elder of wisdom provides insights that resonates with me. Petting a cat can resonate with me. Sometimes I will read a blog or see a photograph that resonates with me. By all this, I mean it seems to puncture through my ego and touches my soul. I think that is what my colleagues meant with their comments in the online study. I know that the words and teachings of Saint Francis resonate with me. In this sense of the word, resonates means some sort of personal truth, I guess.
The dogs are tired and they are now sleeping. The chimes continue to chime as if in perfect harmony with the moment. I close my eyes and just listen and feel. Yes, it all resonates with me. I get it.
Another Picture On The Wall 
This is very insightful, it set me off on a journey for me to look up the synonyms for resonate and the word that resonated with me was vibrate. I wonder if when something resonates with us if it’s actually an energy vibration, I think that’s something really interesting to research. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.🙂
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Yes, if we are energy and all things are energized, I think it is a real possibility. Thank you Laura!
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A fine-toned windchime is a wonderful thing. I have two, one small, the other large. The small one makes me think of angels like in ‘Its a Wonderful Life.’ 😉
Unfortunately, the overuse of ‘resonate’ by NewAgers has made me loathe to ever use it, even when it would be a good word choice. I like Laura’s comment, it really does come down to energy, doesn’t it?
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I’ve avoided New Age stuff, wasn’t aware of that connection, but I guess yes when I think about some of its ideas, they probably would use “resonate” quite a bit. I like the shorter chimes too. I can get momentarily lost in them. Yes, I do think Laura makes a very good suggestion. To understand the influence of energy is really an interesting yet mysterious idea. I do think there is something there though, just don’t understand it.
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In England suspenders (that hold up your pants/trousers) are called braces. They are going the way of the buggy whip. Although I like certain kinds of music and other harmonious sounds I absolutely love complete silence…….though I have never tried it for more than a few hours……….so I could possibly rethink that after a day. Paul Simon did sing about the Sounds of Silence. Isn’t it funny how certain words catch on and are overused continually by certain groups? In addition to religious and teaching groups, businesses are notorious for coining words that consultants overuse and push on to gullible managers. I’m thinking of Zero Based Budgets and Straw Man. Now I’ve got Eliza Dolittle’s song. ‘Show Me’ from My Fair Lady going through my head ” words, words words, I’m so sick of words……..just show me”. Great thought-provoking blog, Gary.
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Thank you! I find suspenders/braces to be incredibly comfortable to wear instead of a belt cutting across my middle especially since the intestinal surgery. I also have a fondness for cardigan sweaters. This puts me in outer space in terms of fashion, but what do I care. If you told me I could sleep a lot better in a sexy nightie, I think I would try it…nah, maybe not….yes, I used to hear this phrase all the time at work when they were discussing how to solve a problem, “we’ve picked all the low hanging fruit.” I also had a guy once tell me it was ‘time to paint my tail white and run with the big deer.” In a job interview once, the question was asked and I guess it was a pretty standard one and still is, “Why are manhole covers round?’ https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/60929/why-are-manhole-covers-round. Another redundant one that comes to mind in your former profession is the Balanced Scorecard. They just keep on coming!
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This post ‘resonated’ with me Gary as your posts often do. I am quite amused at times with words that become ‘in words’ within certain groups of people. I often wonder if they realize that they all sound tbe same. I somehow always seem to be slightly on the outside looking in.
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Some of the mystics say being on the edge is the best place to be. The very best wishes to you Alison!
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Happy New year to you and your family both human and furry. Looking foward to reading more of your thoughts😊
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