A book that I refer to now and again that sits on my desk is called, Worldwordsby Victor La Cerva, MD. When the mood strikes, I open it at random to a new word from another country, language or culture. One word that I’ve highlighted is the Bengali word, ahchya, pronounced ahch-yuh. It sounds almost like a sneeze. The word means, “the great YES! To say yes to all your talents, your work, your kindness and your play. Generously wear all the hats that are given to you.” Just reading it makes me smile. What a wonderful word.
A Vietnamese word that caught my eye, tiep is pronounced tee-YEP. It means the practice of going within and connecting with your inner being “that is already enlightened and for whom the insight of generosity is tangible and effective. It is also the act and art of making something long-lasting.”
Today, I opened the book to nakhes, pronounced NOKH-ess, a Yiddish word to take pride in another’s achievements. “It arises from the delight in the world, from the allure and bounty of our senses, where simplicity joins infinite diversity…The unknown changing circumstances of your path always leave room for joy.” Beautiful!
Reading how thoughts and emotions are expressed in other parts of the world fills me with hope, a gift offered each time the book opens. The rich diversity in language creates connection and opens doors, and as Dr. La Cerva says, “awakens the spirit.”