Not The Same Thing

Here is a list of words and phrases which we should remember to think of as SIMILAR,  but not necessarily SYNONYMOUS.

Simple does not mean easy. A simple way to improve your health is to stop smoking. No one would call that an easy task.

Natural / normal does not mean acceptable. It's perfectly natural to be self-centered. That doesn't make it ok.

Feeling better does not mean doing better. I'm sure an addict feels much better after pushing the plunger down on a syringe.

I forgive you does not mean it's ok, and vice versa. Remember the pity party auto shop scene from Sixteen Candles?

I feel like these common connotations contribute to miscommunication. They create unrealistic expectations and make realistic expectations seem unreasonable. They're responsible for global warming and illiteracy. They're why you can only breathe out of one nostril when you're sick. They cause finger prints on comic books, photographs, and other artwork. They chew with their mouths open, cut Styrofoam with a knife, make scratching noises on the guitar strings when you're playing, and constantly drip against the sink while you're trying to sleep. Let's be cautious of them.