The Big Word Theorem

Can looking for a big word, make us miss the point?

Can we as a society deem big words floccinaucinihilipilificatious?  Could we dare to shun conversations steeped in hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian from a society bent on over complication?  Either way, the theorem of big words lends to more underlying notions that shape our thought processes outside of just vocabulary.  Some time ago (even up until recent) using big words meant that you were intelligent or educated.  Big words, by definition consist of several syllables and more than nine or ten letters.  But this theory can define a lot of things we do, over and above what we say or how we say it.  Bigger is better, one television ad proclaimed.  But, is that true, or better yet, is that all?  What I mean by all, is, is the only thing thats good, big?  Can better be small, or can it be relative.  The Big Word Theorem is the idea that big words define what is pinnacle or "good" in our speech, and other aspects.  The whole notion that bigger is better exists greatly in this theorem.  But, we, those of us who enjoy the thought of defiance (within modest, or prude reason), notice that it's not the big word that deems it better, but the rare employment of the word.  Just as most of us have never seen, heard and quite frankly ever had to pronounce hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian, the usage of words that aren't readily accessible in our cognitive library points to how we define what is a "big word".  When often times, words like airling, bilk, and abrogate are just as scarcely used in common amicable circles.

Okay, so what does THIS have to do with health...?  Well, the theorem, confers the idea that health solutions (when looking at this under the microscope of the Big Word Theorem) need to be big, complex or even lean towards cumbersome (just like our hippo- word up there...).  When this isn't always, and hopefully not often the case.  Small and unique changes and plans can modify behaviors and improve lifestyles.  Small words that aren't used as much, lend to more manageable and easier to use ways of communicating, which in turn improve our speech.  Likewise, these small adjustments can improve our lifestyle gradually and allow us to feel better.  For instance, for soda drinkers, instead of cutting out soda cold turkey and moving towards water, as small adjustment to replace half of your intake to water or low calorie or sugar juice will encourage more gradual and sustainable change.  Of course, you'll want to build on that progress and soon, find the taste for soda far from your pallet.

Health indicators never start out as a big word, but small ones, linking together.  Like the letter a; by itself it isn't much of a word, but then if we add fore to the single letter it compounds.  Furthermore, if mentioned accompanied the previous, we now have aforementioned, which respectfully is a much larger word than what we started with.  This is similar to how disease and obesity seeps around us with little hesitation, but with great cautiousness. 

When looking for big words to define our success or abilities, we miss the point.  Not looking to over complicate or confuse matters saves time, energy and quite frankly lives.  If we're looking for big things to change our healthcare system, or community health, or our personal health; keep looking... It's a long way off, if it comes at all.  We'd do well to be conscious of the small and adequate solutions to our health that are manageable like our unassuming friend bilk.  Incremental changes allow us to be effective in both measuring and accomplishing our health goals and not waiting or actively searching for the next "big" thing.

The Big Word Theorem, is the notion that what is big is good or better and what is not isn't.  Our health is a big deal, big issue, and big question, but it doesn't need "big" things to solve it.  Small words are just as effective and more likely to find themselves in the mouths of people.  In the same instance, measurable and manageable health objectives are also key and most effective in sacking our dear opponent obesity and its disconcerting cousin disease.  Our efforts need to be geared towards behavior change, and prevention, this way we can all take an active approach to our own health.

So, how do you conquer a big mountain, long journey, or huge math problem?  One small manageable step at a time....