Wait–No, I don’t mean a squished-down pillow or rug.

I’m talking about overused words.

See, lately I’ve heard myself saying “I love…” about practically everything.

I love this song!
I love your dress!
I love that house!
I love pizza!

Oh, really?

The truth is, I love God, my husband, my family, and my friends. I love a variety of people in a variety of ways. My feelings toward any of the people in my life are not the same as my feelings toward any of the things I see or own.

By using “love” as a generic positive response to everything, I was trivializing my affection toward God and people. And in a sense, I was elevating that “stuff” to the same level as people.

But paradoxically, a generic “I love…” also blunts my appreciation of those little things I claim to love. I mean, it takes no thought to produce a habitual, go-to response. Why not be more specifically thankful for things?

So I’m working on being more accurate and specific…

Before: I love that song.
Now: I enjoy that song.
More specific: The vocal harmonies sound really good.

Before: I love your house!
Now: I admire your house.
More specific: The color scheme and furniture arrangement are calm and welcoming.

I don’t always itemize everything I like about something–at least, not out loud. That sort of overexplaining would just annoy people. But just being aware of what I enjoy about different things makes me appreciate them all the more.

Just some thoughts. I hope you “love” them.

Ooooops!

Thanks for reading,
Jan