Last Spring as a quartet of young adults I know through their parents (a set of triplets and one other) graduated from High School I gave each of them some kernels of insight (along with a small donation to their future). These are ideas that have rattled around in my head for a bit. I offer them here with some commentary.

All words have meanings, but not all meanings have words.
https://twitter.com/Macmannic/status/807924232894218240

This one originated (in 1981) from talking in my sleep. I woke the woman (girl really we were only 19 and 20) from her sleep when I blurted out in my sleep "Hey! I already looked up that word." She groggily responded, "What word?" Still in my sleep I answered "I don't know, but all words have meanings."

I have thought about this exchange for decades, and over time have reframed it (and expanded it) to the form above.

I will leave it to you, dear reader, to glean what you may, but I will say that as vital as scientific understanding and appreciation is, one should not lose touch with the artist inside. Some things must be felt. Some things must be inarticulate but understood.

We live on this Earth. We inhabit an actual, real world. This world will be a dull, flat place without imagination, spirit and emotion. Embrace them all.