The Word Is "learn"

 RCS Word Power: What are you looking at?

                Learning carries our culture into the future; it is an important way for humans to support their own survival. Teachers are important and we are often our own best teacher. We learn from observed experience, our own and that of others. I was just looking at that phrase "observed experience" It got me thinking and I am beginning to believe that there is no experience without observation. So, to get experience we must observe. Perhaps we could benefit by learning more about observation. We tell each other that experience is the best teacher and seldom think of the quality of our observation.

                We learn from our experience when we attend to it and reflect upon it. So, we only experience that to we attend. To learn we need experience. To get experience we need to observe and pay attention. So, when we are not observing and not paying attention we may not be learning much or we may be getting poor quality learning.

                Our own learning can lead us to a more meaningful and understanding life, perhaps more understandable and understood too.

                So, "learn" has much to do with gaining experience by paying attention. One can track or follow a trace to gain experience. And it is fair to gain experience from another; that is any other human being. A great deal of the experience of others is in our history. Much may be gained by observing our culture. Very important bits of culture and learning can come from family and friends. In any case, it isn't always so and in every case it is best analyzed, interpreted, contemplated, and reflected upon. Careful observation is often very important.

                "Learn" is related to knowledge and lore, "learned" is too.

                Your dictionary may correctly tell you that to learn is to gain knowledge and understanding by study, instruction, and experience. Study includes analysis and interpretation, and so must instruction and experience.

                "Ascertain" and "find out" are very similar to "learn" in meaning, in definition too.

                Remember, a nice short definition for this word is: to gain knowledge, comprehension, or mastery through study and experience. It seems good to begin with good definitions for study and experience. Even so, we may learn about a man by following his tracks. We may learn much about ourselves by tracing our own tracks. That may better done with a high quality of thoughtful observation.

                Many of us have learned that we have that we we have too often learned incorrectly. Or perhaps we were still learning that much of all of our leaning may call for update and corrections,or perhaps accommodation to new information and some new interpretation. We can be grateful to have something to update, correct, re-accommodate and interpret. So, learning from lies or distorted observations and finding that that unlearning what we learned was harder than learning it can be tiresome, but not a waste. Our analysis or re-analysis of our past learning can be importantly beneficial. We have learned that much, perhaps all, of that which we experience and learn ought to be re-evaluated in light of our present growth and new data.

                Memorizing can be an important part of learning, but understanding is the better part.

                One may become erudite through observation and reflection. That's learning. Reflection is like looking it over again and rethinking it. Learning can be the acquisition of wisdom when we are willing to once again analyze our observation. It is important that we pay some attention to our knowledge and skill. What do you know for sure? Is their a better way to do that. To be called learned has been considered a fine compliment; to be called understanding could be a better one.

                When there is an opportunity to learn, pay attention, stay alert. The first step to learning is observation.

                                                                               rcs

Your Vocabulary and the Irish Land War

RCS Word Power:  Irish history and your governance

                The Irish Land Wars are the source or the introduction of a powerfully effective word in the English language. In 1850 Irish persons formed the the Tenant Rights League in Ireland to demand reform in the land law of Ireland. A law not of democratic origin. This organization was followed by about 40 years of unrest in Ireland, and to some learning and reform.

                The word in question was derived from the name of a landlord so disliked that he was refused labor to harvest his crops, as well as refusal to to service shops, laundries, and other facilities. This social excommunication of Mr. Boycott, this landlord, led to his name being used to describe these refusals. Boycotts have worked well as a nonviolent protest measure.

                Know you know the meaning of "to boycott," "boycotting," and more.

                We can be more aware that we are responsible for ruling ourselves. We can be more aware of out responsibility for self-governance. In Ireland a name for self rule has been Home Rule. It does seem best to begin governance at home. One's town, county, water district, and country are examples of places for home Rule. You can blame your wife, your father, your mayor, and your president, but that often turns out to be a waste of energy. Where you are concerned you are the authority and the boss, and the doing is yours to do. You will have your results. We all have responsibility and we all have learning to do. That learning is easier when we do it together.

 

                We can learn more effective doing by observing the doings of others. that's history. You can check out the Home Rule League of Ireland for some instructive history. You may find-out things just by reading on here. You may learn something of practical civics or social organization. You can also report your understandings in "comments" below. "Comments" can also be a good place to ask questions. You can check out Gandhi on social organizing and the use of resistance. Well reasoned and well presented have been important parts of useful social measures. U. S. citizens have plenty to learn about the use of our Constitution and the use of democracy. There is much of interest to learn of the structure and function of our actual governments.

                We can become more effectual citizens by learning about the uses of politics and of our history. History is were we can begin to learn of what has worked and what has not. As we learn to observe and to practice taking care of ourselves (self-governance), we may find it useful to learn more of and from our own histories as well as from the histories of others. 

                We can call politics the way we co-operate to get our governance working well.

                Well, what do you know about the verb "to boycott?" You may remember that every verb is an action word. You can learn more about the: when, where, why, and how of boycott online. You may report your interesting and useful findings here in the "comments" section just below.

 

                Thank you very much for reading.

 

 

                                                                            rcs

 

           

 

 

The Word Is "politics"

 RCS Word Power: The Word Is Politics

                It is not a bad word. At heart it is the art of civil administration. It grew from the Greek word for citizen and refers to affairs of state.

                The main modern meaning is "the art or science of government." Today it also means guiding or influencing governmemt policy.

                "Political" may refer to government, a government, or the conduct of government. It also refers to party politics which somtimes can be distastful.

                "Politics" refers to political affairs, to affairs of business, and to competition between interests groups or individuals for power or leadership. It also refered to the duties, sensibilities, and rights of citizens in ancient republics and democracies. The duties, sensibilies, and rights of modern citizens is "politics."

                Still, the main meaning of politics is the art and science of government and of  much of  all governance.  It includes the field of Political Science. It is the  conduct of and participation in political affairs and public governance. so, it includes the the methods and tactics of governing and might be called a craft.

                The idea among many has been that each citizen would have a political portion of life and that we would govern orselves. This idea and doing is somtimes abdicated by many.

                Another important meaning of  ''political" is having a definite and organized policy and structure of government.

                Politics can be the business of the people co-operating to govern themselves.

                                                                                                            rcs

                

    

The Word Is "study"

RCS Word Power: Your growing word Power

 

 

            "Study" had beginnings in the idea of eagerness and intense application.  It was soon applied to "application to learning."

            Now "study" can refer to a careful examination, an analysis of a phenomenon, or a question. Study can also be a state of contemplation or an application of the mental faculties to getting knowledge.

            As you deepen and widen your understanding of the words used in each of these paragraphs, so increases your understading of "study" and other even better stuff.

            "Study" refers to learning through meditation or reflection as well as to read in detail with the intention of learning. To study is to pursue knowledge by research and observation.

            It is also an attentive scrutiny.  It's to apply one's mind purposefully to getting knowledge and understanding. It can be to inquire or investigate with some intensity. As satisfying as study is, it's healthy to kickback and relax for a while. But not yet. First remember that study can be to inquire or investigate with some intensity.

            Study means a lot. It can be to ponder and reflect upon a body of knowledge so as to better understand it. So, just as you thought, it is much about careful attention. Pay attention! The price may be cheap and get you good value.

            Study is almost always attention to and contemplation of your own experience and that of others. Experience can be a very good teacher. For experience to be a good teacher it needs to be thoughtfully observed and contemplated. Usually personal experience, to teach,  must first be remembered. That is, it needs to be studied.

            Study is a way find things out and to get new or renewed understanding. Know what I mean?

            May you feel your growing word power.

            Thank you for reading.

                                                                            RCS

 

 

The Word Is: "awareness"

RCS Word Power: I've made this word a bit exotericish on its way to exoteric

 

Awareness:

~ We may experience changing states. One change of state we may notice from time to time is an opening of awareness.

~ Early awareness could include an identification with appearances.

~ Another awareness may lead  to noting an individualizing process.

~ One may note a gradual awakening.

~ One may come to note turning consciousness to the "levels" upon which one actually lives and functions. 

 

                The word "awareness" comes from the word, aware. "Aware" comes from the word "ware" which we hear little these days. It means watch, be on one's guard, and take care; so, has to do with consciousness. "Aware" means having knowledge, perception, or realization. Check out some of its synonyms. Additional meanings include having knowledge and cognizance. It is much about having knowledge and understanding. But it may refer to a process and more.


by Richard Sheehan

 

The Word is "politics"

RCS Word Power provides extended meaning for "politics."

                It's not a curse word.

 

                Politics is the art and of civil administration and affairs of state.

 

                The word "politics" grew from the Greek word for "citizen."

 

                The main modern meaning for "politics" the art and science of government. Today it can also mean guiding or influencing government policy.

 

                "Political" refers to government, a government, and the conduct of government. It also refers to party politics which sometimes seems distasteful, but is where some important governmental work takes place.

 

                Politics also refers to business affairs as well as governmental affairs and  sometimes to competition between interest groups or individuals for power and leadership.  

 

                Politics also refers to the duties and rights of citizens in republics and democracies. It may also refer to certain sensibilities of citizens.

                The main meaning of "politics" remains the art and science of governance. So, politics is the conduct of and the participation in political affairs and public governance.

 

                Political science is about politics and includes methods and tactics of governing. 

                In the U.S. the idea of many was once that we could and would govern ourselves collectively. We have largely abdicated. That may be why, for some, politics has become a curse word.

                Another important meaning of "political" is "having a definite or organized policy or structure of government. 

                Politics can be us co-operating to govern ourselves.

                May your word power continue to grow.

                            RCS

                

 

 

The Word Is "observation"

Observation   RCS Word Power provides an extended definition and meaning for "observation"

 

                "Observation" is a human act and process. It is a word of great importance the sciences and to knowledge in general.

                "Observation" may be said to come from the verb, to Observe. To observe is much like to watch, to pay attention, to heed. It may also mean to comply as in :She observes the rules of the game." Which means she follows the rules of the game and she plays according to those rules.

                To observe, may further mean to inspect or to take note of as an augury. That is, as a way to predict or foretell the future by observing something now. Or, the observation of a portent or omen, much as a scientist does in her systematic way. So, observation may refer to the process of inspection or of taking note. You may have noted that "observation" often points to the interesting process of paying attention.

                "Observation" may also point to the process of realizing or realization. It may refer to the process of coming to know, especially through consideration of noted facts.

                Observation is much like the process of noting or watching attentively.

                 We can say that a scientist makes a systematic kind of observation which he calls scientific observation.

                Important factors in the process of observation are: consciousness, awareness, and alertness.

                What's in a word? What's in the word?

                We again move toward a better grasp on the power available in another word.

                Thanks for reading. Its okay to read this piece again.

 

     

The Word Is "nation"

          "Nation" was born from a word that meant "to be born" and soon came to mean breed or stock.   

         It next came to mean "that which has been born," that is "a breed." But it soon came to refer to a species or race.

        "Way down yonder in the Indian Nation" is a refrain from an old song. Speaking as an America, are we race, racist, both, or none of the above?

        So, "nation" came to mean "a race of people." "A race of people" implies a strong blood or genetic relationship.

        A word's history is carried with it, much like my history is part of me.

        Recently we started to use "nationality" and "nation" in reference to the country of origin of a people or person, and meanings got a bit confused.

        Very recently "nation" has been taken over as a political/legal concept of nation as "an organized territorial unit." By this notion the United States of America can be called a nation.

        My old Webster uses the words "birth" and "race" as part of the ongoing meaning of "nation." It goes on to say that "nation" refers to a group or aggregation of closely related persons. This sounds correct and useful to me, but also inclines me me to add "racist" and "inbred" to our power words.

        "Culture" seems a more useful word to include among our power words. We have notions of the nature of "stock" and "breed" Are we breeding some good stock. Culture is learned. Could there be a sort of cultural breed or cultural stock?

        Are we mustangs or thoroughbreds, or something else? Another dictionary says that, what we have come to call a community of people of of one or more nationalities and possessing a more or less defined territory and government, is a nation. Seems like it is trying to describe us. How are we describing ourselves these days? Dictionary compilers keep trying to give a realistic definition to a word that we have twisted out of shape. Another dictionary tried this: A nation is a territorial division containing a body of people of one or more nationalities and usually of a large size and independent status!

        One newer dictionary says that a nation is a people, who share common customs, origins, history, and often language. This seems a very good try at a definition that many people now mean when they use the word, nation. This definition feels congenial and useful. Another definition seems less congenial: A nation is a rather large group of people under a single, usually independent government. This last one lacks heart.

        I think we could be a good nation and like many feel we do have a good country. We appear to be on our way to deciding who and what we are. A country seems an OK start.

        Still, "nation" does have a nice ring to it. Could the Navajo nation be an example? or could Iceland?

        Thanks for reading. Word power to you.

                                        RCS

        

                                                         

         

     

The Word is ''contemplate''

The verb to contemplate, like many other verbs, is easier to define well than to do well. I'll start as difficult as I can.

 

~  Divine soothsaying in the temple. Have you seen that "contemplate" contains the the makings of the word "temple.'' It does and it can be important. I will add that the "sooth" in "soothsaying" means truth. I find that "Divine soothsaying in the temple." was very like part of an early meaning of  "contemplate." So contemplation as a sort of sacred and holy truth telling. Let me  add that contemplation is usually a solitary activity. So, contemplation is the holy or sacred duty or intention of telling oneself the truth!

~ Contemplation is also: observing so as to see how future doings and happenings are likely to be. It is unlikely that you will ever to be able to tell the future exactly. But many have believed that the practice of contemplative observation can get you closer and a bit closer,

~ Contemplation can be much like a kind of meditation.

~ With a bit of thought you may see contemplation as a process for interpreting observations. To get you started, consider that you are observing a process, happening, or doing and you think, "Now, what is going on here?"  Then you try to answer your question.

~ This meaning has been degraded a bit, but still contains power: Observe omens carefully.

~ So, around  home, a good definition might be "To view or consider with continued attention." A bit like "ponder," but to what end?

It takes some time to contemplate. A person interested in contemplation or contemplating will profit by taking time to contemplate, one at a time, the half dozen items above.

RCS

Word: "character"

 "character" is the word at this RCS Word Power

 

~ I Like the cut of your jib.

 

~ One said that her character was like an engraving. I thought it fine and flexible.

 

~ He had the stamp of his family.

 

~ One's character is is particular to one's self. 

 

~ I like to hear what another considers characteristic of me.

 

~ Your character has a distinctive quality. 

 

~ There is more than one meaning for "character."

 

~ I am thinking of "character" as the complex of mental and ethical traits marking a person.

 

~ I want a good character and to be among those of good character.

 

~ One's character effects one's reputation.

 

~ Another good way to consider a person's character is as his or her moral excellence and firmness. 

 

~ Some say that they tell a person by her character. 

 

~ Here's another meaning for character that I like: The combination of emotional, intellectual, and moral qualities distinguishing one person or group from another. 

~ I like this one too: Moral and ethical strength or integrity.

~ Or, simply, a description ob one's attributes, traits, and abilities.

 

~ A thoughtful man was asked what valued most in himself or another. His reply was "a good reputation." When he was asked what he valued more than a good reputation. He though again and replied, "good character."

~ Good character has been valued highly by a wide variety of people for a very long time.

~ An origin for the word 'character' has been found in a Greek word that meant something like to sharpen, engrave, cut. The noun of that word meant "engraved mark." A particular impress which marked one as different from another. However, as we have seen, our meaning for character, while still carrying the older meaning, has come to mean more.

 

~ Our deeper stronger values characterize us. We hear a lot of talk of values these days: family values, religious values, political values. We lose track of what they are. I hope that we do not lose track of values like trust and honesty; they seem to be important parts of other values we speak of. 

To make the power of this word yours, it is good to treat the items above as objects of contemplation. Shall we make "contemplation" one of our power words?

 

~ In some of our early history meant strong and effective, often with the understanding good strength and good effectiveness was meant.

RCS