Here’s a Grammar Lesson

You’ve heard the idiom, “the world is my oyster” hundreds of times.

But have you ever really thought about it?

Shakespeare first coined it in his 1602 comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor.

The line he wrote went,

Why then the world’s mine oyster, which I with sword will open.

And while the wording has changed, the meaning has stayed the same for centuries.

This phrase describes someone with every advantage to reach their goals and live their best life.

It’s typically used about someone young, educated, well-liked, and destined for success.

And, chances are, this person doesn’t have to deal with much adversity.

It’s full of promise, spirit, but most of all — hope.

This World is Our Oyster

When I was thinking of a tagline, “the world is my oyster” was one of the first things that came to mind.

But I didn’t like the “my.”

The idea of using that term as the headline for my website seemed ego-centric and selfish.

After all, what’s the point of having a pearl if everyone around you only has sand?

We are connected to one another, which makes us stronger together than as individuals.

When we build one another up and help each other realize our potential, we become better for it.

It makes us better as individuals and as a whole.

It Takes Friction to Make Pearls

It’s hard to say, “the world is my oyster” when we are experiencing an unprecedented crisis.

Things right now are weird, and they’re scary, and, worse yet — all of it is out of our control.

It’s times like these where it seems like the world is no one’s oyster.

But we need to take care of each other because we are in this together.

We are billions of grains of sand experiencing collective friction. 

When it’s all said and done, we can admire each other for the pearls we’ve become.

You can’t control what’s happening outside your door.

But you can control what you do within your little corner of the universe.

We’re all a work in progress, so try things that can help move you forward.

Even if you’re stuck at home, there are many ways you can take care of yourself.

Organize your closet or deep clean that part of the house you’ve neglected for a little too long.

Finish that book you’ve been telling yourself you’d read.

Write an outline for that story that’s bounced around in your head for years.

Practice self-care religiously: paint your nails, brush your teeth, meditate, eat well, or journal, so you have something to look back at in the future.

Whatever it is, make this the time that you follow through and do it.

I know you can!

Take care of yourself, love yourself, and become the pearl you really are.

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We’re all a work in progress.

Stay tuned each week for a new blog.

And if you want to see what I’ve been drawing, check out the Art page!