There are obvious OCD behavior traits that I display on a frequent basis, one of them being my grammar nazi tendencies that are mostly directed towards my own writing, specifically when it comes to spelling.  I do blame this on my mother and grandmother who had very little tolerance for poor grammar (even though I definitely see how I've become lazy in remembering rules over the years...good thing they don't read my blog).

However, their encouragement to pay attention to details prepared me for new worlds.  It's crazy how quickly we forget to give credit to the foundational things in life, like learning basic math, how to tie a shoe, how to make a simple meal, etc etc.  Without the basics, there would be nothing to build upon.  

One of those worlds is a fascination with how letters strung together in a specific way create a word, and how that word has a denotation that can be found in every dictionary, yet to each person that word may have a very personal and emotional meaning, giving it various connotations.  

Sometimes I like to take this fascination that I have with connotations and how they say something about a person, and just brainstorm what comes to mind when using different words.  

For example, simplicity.  

The quality or condition of being easy to understand or do. The quality or condition of being plain or natural

But when I think of simplicity... here is what comes out: 

I believe that word, in my own connection with it, actually has a smell, a taste.  It's an ivory bar of soap that floats in water.  A campfire.  Garden herbs.  Rich flavors and colors that you can taste and see because you are present.  It feels like a picnic lunch.  catching the sunrise and sunset, and each time standing in awe of the newness of it all.  it's wearing out a pair of hiking boots or wearing out your favorite album because you've had every song on repeat for the last year. the waves of the sea.  watching a sailboat elegantly glide across water, reaching a new destination.  having a lord of the rings movie marathon.  and building a fort with your siblings before that movie marathon. watching the sound of music for the millionth time.  breathing in fresh air. a hard work-out and the shower that follows.  conversations with strangers that change your life.  conversations with close friends that touch your heart.  laughter because of goodness that gets into your soul.  A good, real cup of coffee with a spot of real cream.  de-cluttered rooms.  generosity.  Living with your heart fully engaged in the journey, exploring but never leaving your roots.  It's the staples of life, like ketchup, ranch dressing and hot sauce.  It's going to a youth camp in Mexico where you are living life with people who speak a different language, yet you still feel right at home. It's rejoicing in the journey so fully that bitterness, unforgiveness and anxiety have no chance at cluttering your heart, yet still living with such a clear and honest heart that you are aware of the very real fact that those enemies would love to destroy you if given permission.  It's the deep, big question conversations.  And the short, fun ones too.  The total enjoyment of an ice cream cone, even in the middle of winter.  It's pixar movies and unpolished, honest writing.  

The list could probably go on and on.  And if I asked someone else what they think of when giving life to the word simplicity, it would probably be a completely different list.  

you should give it a try, even if you think I am crazy and OCD.  :)