It's funny how a word comes to mind in a conversation, and then comes up again in several more conversations throughout the day. Take chaordic, for instance.
In one of my regular mealtime meetings with a good friend of mine who is pastoring a large church, we were talking about church stuff and I tossed out the word "chaordic" as a solution to a question my friend posed. The word was new to him, though my explanation wasn't.
Wikipedia has the following description of chaordic: The mix of chaos and order is often described as a harmonious coexistence displaying characteristics of both, with neither chaotic nor ordered behavior dominating. Some hold that nature is largely organized in such a manner; in particular, living organisms and the evolutionary process by which they arose are often described as chaordic in nature. The chaordic principles have also been used as guidelines for creating human organizations -- business, nonprofit, government and hybrids -- that would be neither hierarchical nor anarchic.
You know - it's one of those things that you can't describe, but you know it when you see it.
Chaordic popped up in no less than three more conversations yesterday: between my wife and I driving to supper; with our small group over our meal; and with the small group in a different use after the meal. It was great conversation, and everyone understands, at least in a little way, more about the times we live in.
I don't do a word of the day, but if I did, chaordic would be it. It's a handy word to toss out in your next conversation. If your listener is over 30, he will have a puzzled look on his face; if she is under 30, it's a synonym for her life.
Are you unsettled by chaordic times - or do you thrive in them?
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