Pecksniffery

The word of the day is Pecksniffery. This was used on the back of a wine bottle description, stating that they would not resort to "pecksniffery" or something similar to that.

The definition of pecksniffery is a "hypocritical statement". It is a word that Charles Dickens apparently used in his books. It is on old world term, but it is an interesting-sounding word, and is again one of those words who's sound reflects it's meaning. "'Pecksniff' was a character in one of Charles Dickens' novels who was utterly selfish and corrupt, yet hid behind an outer display of seeming benevolence. His name has become an adjective synonymous with sanctimonious and hypocritical."

The Power of Your Word

I am still thinking about balance, and trying to attain more of it in my daily life. With many things being uncertain, I feel this is a constant struggle right now.

I find that even in my daily interactions with people, I often feel that I am not communicating what I really want to say. It's as if I am distracted, and my words are not coming out quite exactly the way I intend them to.

I went back to a favorite book, "The Lost Art of Compassion", by Lorne Ladner, PhD, and found this passage about communication:
"Each of us has tendencies to communicate in ways that don't lead ultimately toward happiness for ourselves and others. The Buddha once gave a discourse to his disciples on how to live a life free of conflicts and problems. He said that before we utter anything we first should know that what we are about to say is 'true, correct, and beneficial'".

This reminds me of Don Miguel Ruiz, and his Four Agreements, specifically the first agreement, "Be Impeccable with Your Word-Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love."