With your blessings, I would like to begin this column with a promise. When you take the time and take a pair of scissors, clip out each of these columns, work to improve your vocabulary and then begin to use some of these words in your everyday conversations, you will notice a deep sense of personal satisfaction that makes life more interesting and exciting. It is the best way I know to stay out of a rut.
As we continue with these concept words, our first one today is the word accountability – “a system devised to hold people responsible for their actions. “If a company does not insist on the accountability of its employees, the company will fail or have serious financial problems.”
The next word is attitude – the outward expression of inward thoughts and feelings. “You could tell he had a good attitude by the cheerful, positive way he conducted himself.” The next word is automatic – without thinking or reflection. “He did not have to think about it; his response was automatic.”
Next are two basic words: basic needs – The needs every person has: food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and medical care. Next is basic skills — those skills necessary to function today; reading, writing, mathematics, driving a car, keeping records, domestic skills, personal hygiene, and so on, “Basic skills are absolutely necessary for a person to function in a responsible manner in today’s society.”
Next is a very important one: body language – the means of expression a person has without the written or spoken word: a form of nonverbal communication. “Often a person’s body language — gestures, eye contact, posture – speak more loudly than the spoken word.” Next is the word career – the choice a person makes as a long-term means of making a living: usually different from a job in that it requires more education, a deeper commitment, and a progressive attitude adaptable to change. “With more than 50,000 choices in our society, practically every person can have an exciting career, thereby earning both financial and personal rewards.”
The next phrase is particularly important, and it is not being taught in our schools and college. Cause and effect –the natural law that controls everything in the universe: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction; good actions equal good results and bad actions equal bad results. “I thought I was lucky until I discovered that the law of cause and effect established the consequences of my efforts.” And next another important word is character — the outward expression of a person’s total personality, including attitudes, actions, and habits; formed in early childhood, character literally controls our lives. A person with good character has a better chance for success. “What I like most about John is that he possesses excellent character – you can always count on him to do what is right.”
We will pick up next week with the word commitment. Hope you are enjoying this review as much as I am.
—(Jim Davidson is an author, syndicated columnist, and Founder of the Bookcase for Every Child project. For a personalized copy of Jim’s latest book, “Keep Your Fork” send $25, which includes postage and handling and tax, to Jim Davidson, 2 Bentley Drive, Conway, AR 72034. It is also available on Amazon.)