I love aphorisms.
Packing plenty of meaning in a handful of words is an art.
Sometimes, when I struggle to start my writing practice, I look for inspiring aphorisms to prompt my process. Some days, it works; others, it doesn't.
This morning, it didn't work.
I scan my usual sources to no avail.
Even the most famous ones felt empty this morning.
So, I wonder. What makes an aphorism powerful?
If it's in its words and structure, then it should always work.
But it doesn't.
So, at least part of the power of an aphorism must be in the reader.
Depending on how I am and where I am in life, words hit differently.
They take a different meaning.
If I'm not in the mood, the same aphorism that felt so powerful and inspiring yesterday feels cheesy and trivial today.
That's how words work.
Meaning-making is a subjective process.
I say or write things with an intention.
But my words' impact on others depends on their inner meaning-making maps.
However, I am still searching for a good aphorism for the day.
Any suggestions?