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Aspiration

Where did the word "aspiration" come from? What does it truly mean? I’ve always been curious about the roots of words. My dad, who took eight years of Latin, often shared the meaning and origin of words with me. Eventually, he encouraged me to take Latin in eighth grade. I’ll admit it wasn’t exactly my forte, but his passion for language and curiosity stuck with me. Growing up, I had context for words, but I didn’t fully grasp their depth and power—not like I do today. The energy they carry, the way they can reach into our emotions and influence our reactions, is more profound than I ever imagined.


Think about it. Words physically impact us, reaching deep into our bodies and triggering responses. A harsh comment, for example, can feel like a punch to the gut or a sting in the heart. We’ve all experienced it—a moment when a stranger yells profanities out their car window while shaking their fist because we’ve unknowingly cut them off in traffic. It’s shocking, and it hurts. Or think back to school: the difference between seeing an “A” and an “F” on the top of a paper can evoke intense, physical reactions. Just imagining it makes my stomach tighten.



We’re sentient beings—we feel deeply. Ultimately, it’s all good because it means we’re alive. Why do words hold such power over us? It’s because we assign meaning to them. We make the meaning about us. But the truth is, words—just simple combinations of letters—are neutral. Their power comes from the meaning we give them. Even unspoken words, our thoughts, hold immense power. And let’s be honest: our internal dialogue tends to lean toward the harsh. How often do we say to ourselves, “Well, that was dumb,” after making a mistake? And how rarely do we offer ourselves kindness, saying, “Great job!” or “You’re amazing!”?


So, how do we shift this? How do we become more mindful of the words we allow to shape our inner and outer worlds? It’s up to us to take responsibility for our thoughts and the meanings we assign to them. Our thoughts create our feelings, our actions, and ultimately our results. When we take ownership of this, we can choose with intention.


Which brings me back to the word “aspiration.” My curiosity about this word led me to its roots. Aspiration is defined as the hope or ambition of achieving something. It comes from the Latin aspirare, meaning “to breathe upon, blow out, or breathe.” How beautiful is that? (Thanks, Dad!) First recorded in 1375 in Middle French, the word holds life itself in its core meaning: breath. Breath is life, the foundation of everything.



As I reflect on this, I find myself aspiring to be more mindful of my words—the ones I speak to myself and those I send into the world. My aspiration for 2025 is to notice, correct, and infuse my words with as much high-vibration, loving energy as possible.


What do you want to breathe into the world in 2025?




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