Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” So, let’s examine it together. In Etymology, I’ll be presenting a word each week with its generally accepted definition and riffing on this word as a way to get us to talk about life together. This is meant to be a discussion based article, with emphasis on “together.” In one sense, these articles will be written and complete when they are published, but they will not be whole without your input. All of us could use better words to describe our lives. So, let’s go through life together in words. Helping each other and improving together and always remembering to breathe.
By Brianne Leith
“I don’t like going where I’ve already been. Life is a myriad of territories to discover. I don’t want to waste time with what I already know.”
- Jeanne Moreau
A plethora of opportunities. Innumerable choices. A myriad of possibilities.
We may not wake up every morning and realize what a vast world it is. Our lives are littered with opportunities. We may have responsibilities that hinder some possibilities, but those responsibilities were once chosen (intentionally or not) by us from an infinite amount of possibilities. Every morning we should think of the myriad of things we can do throughout the day. It is endless. A myriad.
Myriad is defined as:
Noun
1. a very great or indefinitely great number of persons or things.
2. ten thousand.
Adjective
3. of an indefinitely great number; innumerable
4. having innumerable phases, aspects, variations, etc.
5. ten thousand.
“Myriad” tends to be a word of exaggeration, but it is such an exquisite and unique word. Many things are not “indefinitely great in number” or are “innumerable,” but the idea that there are things in the world that are infinite is amazing. That is so beyond our understanding, being completely unfathomable to us, that it is breathtaking. I want to use this “myriad” as much as I can. It adds a touch of awe and child-like wonder to our everyday lives.
Having this sense of “endless possibilities” when we wake up is really not that far of an exaggeration on my part. From the second you open your eyes, good and bad choices come flooding at you with the light that makes you squint and groan. You can rise immediately and begin a day of infinite opportunities or you can close your eyes, pushing opportunities back 5 more minutes and most likely be rushed for work.
Neither of those choices is bad, they are yours and each will be followed by a myriad more. From what to wear, what to eat, to what you want to do with the rest of your life, each day of our lives are filled with opportunity. Do not forget this. Do not waste this beautiful facet of life as a human being.
We live inAnnapolisMaryland; there are things to do all the time.Annapolisis small, but filled overflowing with activities. Live music can be found on the streets, Rams Head, Armadillos, Middletons, O’Brien’s, The Whiskey, in theParoleCenterand many other places. You can go to a theatrical performance at Summer Garden Theatre, Bay Theatre, or Colonial Players. You can go to a myriad of different bars, restaurants or historical landmarks. Go to a lecture atSt. John’sCollege. You can take a walk by the water. You can go to the Mall. You can get crabs from a small stall on the side of the road or go to Cantleer’s, Mike’s and not have to deal with the mess afterwards. You can stay in from this oppressive heat and watch a movie. No matter what your preferences are, no matter what you want to do, there is something.
You can do everything or you can do nothing.
A myriad of possibilities are presented to you all the time.
The choices are yours.
“Why I came here, I know not; where I shall go, it is useless to inquire –
in the midst of myriads of the living and the dead worlds, stars, systems, infinity,
why should I be anxious about an atom?”
- Lord Byron
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In Sweden, ants are called “myror” (one “myra”, many “myror”), so one could suspect a connection “the anthill is crawling with a myriad of ants”, but more likely this is just a coincidence.
I like that Henry. Every time things have even just a coincidental connection, it opens such an interesting path to investigate. Thank you for your input. There are always so much more to words than is obvious to the naked eye.
This makes me happy.