Four Words to Live by
A few years ago, the Danish word “Hygge” became an international phenomenon. It was added to the Oxford English dictionary and made the 2016 short list for Word of the Year. One thing that makes hygge so special is how much meaning is packed into just 5 letters. That one word conjures up all sorts of cozy images and feelings for anyone who knows the word. It’s a bit different for everyone – maybe for you it’s sitting in front of the fire with warm socks and cup of cocoa, or meeting old friends in a cozy restaurant for drinks, or taking a walk with your kids in the freshly fallen leaves. But it’s a special word and It’s also a word that defines a whole culture.
Do such words even exist in American culture? None come to mind. But there are other cultures that do have those words — words meant as guides for living life to the fullest and finding happiness. Words that embody a sense of joy or coziness. Words that seem to define a culture. Here are four of my favorites that we’ve come across on our travels. They’re words worth learning, and hopefully living.
Gökotta
Sweden is a country with a great admiration for nature. And the word Gökotta (actually pronounced zyohh-koh-tah) sums it up. Literally translated as “dawn picnic” it really means “rising at dawn to go outside and hear the first birdsong.” It’s a word that begs an appreciation for the wonders of nature during that magical period of the day when the world comes alive. It could be anything from 15 minutes sitting on your deck in a robe with a cup of tea to an hour-long walk through the woods with your dog. The important thing is to take the time to just listen to the birdsongs and to breath deep and recharge for the day while everyone else is still in bed. At that hour – the time is all yours! The birds are only signing for you. I’m guessing the Swedes don’t do this everyday, but I’m putting on my short list for new year activities.
Sweden is a country with a great admiration for nature. And the word Gökotta (actually pronounced zyohh-koh-tah) sums it up. Literally translated as “dawn picnic” it really means “rising at dawn to go outside and hear the first birdsong.” It’s a word that begs an appreciation for the wonders of nature during that magical period of the day when the world comes alive. I’m guessing the Swedes don’t do this everyday, but I’m adding it to my shortlist for New Years ‘must do’ activities. Maybe I’ll start small by just sitting on the deck in a rove with a cup of tea and listen to the birds in peace. Or better yet, I’ll get the doggie to join me in the woods for a walk, where the bird’s songs are the only sounds around.
Cwtch
We’ve been in England for a few months now and have learned all kinds of great new words: gobsmacked, wonky, kip, blimey…but my favorite is one I recently learned from a Welsh woman. She had a thick accent and had to repeat it a couple times. “Cwtch” (rhymes with butch, and yes there are no vowels). Cwtch is a hug or cuddle that provides a warm, cozy and safe place. It’s the kind of hug we save for our kids or loved ones. It’s a meaningful, powerful, wonderful embrace that allows us to cherish our children or spouse and heal them and protect them. My youngest cwtches (I’m just assuming you can use it as a verb) with our dog almost every morning. And our pup does the same whenever one of the girls gets hurt or upset. It’s the nighttime hug, the promise that everything will be ok, the long thank you for that unexpected kind gesture. Whether you’re the cwtcher or the cwtchee, it sounds like pure happiness to me.
Waldeinsamkeit
It’s funny the moments we remember. We’ve traveled to a lot of special places, but one of my favorite memories was walking in Germany in a little town outside of Frankfurt. We took a walk with our dog just as the snow began to fall in December. After a pretty lengthy snowball fight, we realized we were the only ones there. The feeling of that peaceful solitude — that we were the only guests in those beautiful surroundings — was a feeling I won’t forget.
Forests are my favorite place to be, and the Germans definitely know how to take care of their forests and making them accessible to the people. My favorite Christmas market I’ve ever been to was in a forest in Munich. It was magical. The Germans, as the Swedes, have a strong connection with nature and they really love their woods.
Admittedly, the Germans do tend to cheat when it comes to words by just lumping multiple words together and putting them in the dictionary. Remember Fahrvergnugen (driving satisfaction)? Volkswagen just made that word up! In any case, there is one German compound I do truly love —Waldeinsamkeit. Literally, the word means “a feeling of being alone in the woods.” It’s not Hansel and Gretel scary alone, but Emerson and Thoreau alone — a peaceful solitude. It’s a connection with the beauty and power of the forest and with nature and with life itself. Its transcendentalism. It’s inner peace. The Germans have a strong connection with nature and they love their woods. I remember having this feeling last December. It was our final day in Germany before going back to visit family in the US for Christmas. We took a walk with our dog in a nearby forest just as the snow began to fall. After a pretty lengthy snowball fight, we realized we were the only one there. The feeling of peaceful solitude – that we were the only guests in this beautiful surrounding — was inspiring. Maybe being with other people breaks the fundamental rules of Waldeinsamkeit, but on that day, being with my family only made the experience of peaceful solitude even more magical.
Sisu
The Finnish word Sisu might just be my favorite new word. It’s so core to the Finnish culture that it should be printed on their flag. It means living with passion and courage. It means taking risks for something you believe in. It means being confident in your abilities and staying positive to overcome challenges – even huge ones — with your head high. I think of it often when I struggle to overcome a challenge… It almost reminds me of the English word “gumption” — having the energy, resourcefulness and determination to meet a challenge. Sisu is ingrained in the Finnish mindset, and has become a part of their culture which makes it so special. Maybe Sisu is part of the reason that in 2018 (according to the famous UN World Happiness Report) Finland was voted the happiest country in the world!
