By: Blonde One
Like many other words in the English language, the word ‘awesome’ has evolved and become slang. It has come to mean simply: ‘really good’. It’s a fantastic word and if said in the right way, could almost be onomatopoeic (or it might just be me that thinks that).
On Friday I witnessed something awesome in the true sense of the word. The dictionary defines it as: ‘an overwhelming feeling of admiration inspired by something incredible’. The incredible thing this time was the Young Leaders. The day was the annual training day for Bronze DofE participants. Normally we have about 12 youngsters but due to the success of the Young Leaders’ promotional campaign we had double that number. The day was entirely planned and organised by Search, Numbers and Brummie. They did everything and just kept me up to speed with their plans every now and then. I had the most brilliant day, observing experts at work.
There were numerous occasions when I was impressed by them, here’s some examples:
Search was leading a session on first aid that was superb. He was so knowledgeable and confident. He delivered in an interesting way, answered some tricky questions and shared a wealth of really important and useful advice. Amazing!
Numbers was at one point in charge of stove safety with his group. He managed to involve even the most nervous participant. He managed (I’m not even sure how) to lead them to the edge of their comfort zone and beyond in some cases. He did this without them even noticing. I am totally confident that they now can use a stove safely. Fabulous!
Brummie turned from a Young Leader at the start of Friday to a teacher by the end. His natural ability as a teacher was astounding. He made each activity fun with his infectious enthusiasm, whilst making sure that the job got done. Superb!
We had 2 new Young Leaders with us as well and they proved to be invaluable. They stepped out of their own comfort zone throughout the day and proved that they are easily worthy of the ‘Young Leader’ badge of honour. They impressed me and the Senior Young Leaders in equal measure.
I was humbled throughout the day by the maturity and confidence of the most fantastic 17 and 18 year olds that I have ever met.
surely your dictionary is wrong – it must be some achingly trendy neo-lingo jobby:
awesome means creating the sense of awe – reverential fear or wonder – being humble in the face of the almighty and forces beyond one’s understanding and control: all your other adjectives and adverbs might apply to what one hopes of keen and motivated youth, but ‘awe’, if we are being faithful to language, I trust not!
Were your expectations of their potential too low and hence their performance (average in our day, of course!) awed you?
(just kidding): but it is good to see you are back at what I understand you do best and enjoy most – leading and encouraging the next generation(s) of leaders.
Wow!
Blonde One never stops leading and encouraging our youngsters. I am not really sure how she does it and I have a sense of wonder every time I watch her. (I wouldn’t tell her that though – sounds a bit weird!)
Er-hum. The ex post facto bit. Only having read your post and not the comments I now note that Gimmer has been eloquent on the same subject. Well, he comes from the same neck of the woods as me and I may, I hope, have covered my rear in my final paragraph here.
I worry about your dictionary – I mean I would, wouldn’t I? I’m that sort. But not in any small-minded, pernickety way. Since you are invested with so many extraordinary gifts I would naturally expect your command of language to be… what? Awesome? No, not that. Anyone who spoke or wrote in an awe-inspiring way could well be in danger of going right over the heads of mere mortals. Which is clearly not the case; your touch is demotic as well as celestial.
I didn’t care for the inclusion of “incredible” in the definition. In real terms it means “unbelievable” which in itself may not be commendable, even if the word has undergone the same kind of popular transformation as awesome. The general election campaign which, thank God, is now at an end brought up much that was incredible and not in a good way. I would not have the achievements of your heroes, lovingly rendered by you, be undermined in any way.
In my dictionary the primary meaning of awe is slightly different, even slightly ambiguous: emotion compounded of dread, veneration and wonder. All those things together! Didn’t seem to fit, really.
I wondered about “heroic” as a substitute, was dissatisfied by Roget, went on to “hero” and especially the sub-section “admired person”. Oh how slang so quickly betrays us: brick, trump, good egg, stout fellow, all yesterday’s ashes. Paragon? Nah, these days it’s so often used cynically.
Quite quickly I realised I was on a fool’s errand (And who better to run one of those?) Chances are there is no single word that covers all the regard you have for these young people: admiration, surprise, warmth, pride, etc.
I should never have brought it up. My finger hovers over Delete but I come from the West Riding and fear waste as much as the pox. No need to worry on your behalf, though. Words are fallible but by stringing them together you have ensured a strong and unambiguous impression. I worried unnecessarily. Revenons à nos moutons.
Should be “I do”.
Does that really mean ‘return to your sheep’ as my Blonde-Brain is suggesting that it does?
Look again. The -ons ending on the verb indicates the first-person plural, in fact “we”. With this format other words may be left out and we end up with “(Let us) return to our sheep.” It’s a quote from a French farce based on a trial and is repeated over and over by the judge. Nowadays it can be more loosely translated as “Let’s get back to what we were doing.”
I was showing off I suppose. I fear I do a lot of that. But my French is presently a victim of my deteriorating memory and I like to pretend that lessons stretching back thirty years were not entirely wasted. Each week that becomes a little harder. I crave your indulgence.