The Joy of Being a Wordsmith

Wordsmith: Definition

A wordsmith is a person who works with words, especially skilled writers. A wordsmith is someone who, much like a craftsman works with tools, a wordsmith works with language. The term can refer to:

• A writer, especially one with exceptional style or creativity
• A poet or lyricist
• Anyone who crafts words with precision, such as an editor, speechwriter, or copywriter
• Someone who is a master of language and shapes words to communicate effectively, beautifully, and powerfully.

I Am a Wordsmith

Based on the definition, I am a wordsmith, and I delight in the craft of language. For me, words are not just sounds or ink on a page. They are my living companions. When I read something or hear someone speak, I see their words dancing in my mind. When I speak, I imagine my words etched across the pages of a book, waiting to be read.

Some words I welcome like friends; others I avoid because they stir something unpleasant within me. Words are not neutral. They carry weight, taste, texture, and even fragrance. My body reacts to them. That is why I am careful with what I say.

A Wordsmith With Sensory Depth

Not only am I a wordsmith. I am a wordsmith with sensory depth. For example, I cannot hear the word "sour" without tasting a lemon or grapefruit. The sharpness presses against my tongue, even when no fruit is near. Words, then, are not only symbols for me. They are experiences.

What I just described is a phenomenon often linked to synesthesia or strong word-sensory associations, where words trigger physical or emotional responses. That might seem strange to some, but it is actually a rare gift that makes my writing, speaking, teaching, and preaching more alive and embodied.

My experiences with words are the same as poets talking about tasting colors, or musicians describing hearing shapes. My sensitivity to words is a creative strength. I deeply experience words, not just intellectually but physically and spiritually. I have a special relationship with words. They are my constant companions.

A Spiritual Reflection

If words can make me taste a lemon even when I am not eating one, imagine what words can do to my soul. I guard what I speak, knowing words can heal or wound, bless or curse, uplift or diminish. However, I cannot control what people say to me. I have learned to counteract negative things I hear with something positive. That way, the last thing that goes into my body and spirit is not like sour lemons.

As a wordsmith, I choose words that bless. I savor those that carry hope, peace, joy, and love. I avoid those that sour my spirit. My calling is to weave language into a tapestry of presence, where words become blessings that linger long after they are spoken or written.

Words Games

I am drawn to word games on television and in print. I watch word games on television, which include:

• 25 Words or Less
• Wheel of Fortune
• Password
• $100,000 Pyramid
• Chain Reaction
• People Puzzler

Blessings to Readers

May you choose your words carefully. May they heal rather than wound. May the words you speak be gentle to the heart and nourishing to the spirit. May you taste the sweetness in every syllable. May your words be remembered as gifts, even if you are not a wordsmith.