What's in a word?

Last week I was trying to think of a word. I racked my brain and no luck. Then I decided to stop in the hopes that I would wake up in the middle of the night and go, “Yes, that’s the word.” Again, no luck. I knew the word was a synonym of “unnecessary".” I asked Sylvie and she didn’t know. I asked my mom and she didn’t know. Then I took to Google for a search of synonyms of “unnecessary.” At last, the word… ”discretionary” It didn’t help that I thought the word began with an ‘R.” This word had come up in a conversation Sylvie and I were having about spending money. I talked about discretionary spending, meaning buying the things you want versus need. Right now in our house, there is a moratorium on discretionary spending in an effort to spend less and buy less. To further elaborate, it is a moratorium on mom’s money being used for discretionary spending. Sylvie can spend her own money on whatever she wants. Discretion has another meaning referring to using discretion when for example talking with someone. This is why there is a list of three things you should never discuss—politics, religion, and money. To this, I would add sex as a forth. Since our country is polarized right now politically, discretion is being used left and right so as not to offend someone. I am glad that my 15 y.o. daughter doesn't quite understand this concept yet and speaks her mind. It has provided for some interesting and lively dinner conversations. And like a lot of youth today sparked an activist spirit in her. When I was 14 y.o. I marched against nuclear weapons and recently attended the women’s march in DC a few years ago, so she is following my example. I know someday that she will get the concept of discretion and still continue to raise her voice for all that she believes is important. The lesson I learned is that a Goggle search can find anything but not how to discuss politics without the possibility of offending a person. This is why we have “discretion.”

“I'm enjoying your essays. Today's piece on discretion hit home on all counts, believe me. You nailed it clearly, concretely; well said, and thanks.” —Mike M.