If you have not yet explored the thing of beauty know as The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, you are in for a treat.The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows is a compendium of invented words written by John Koenig. Each original definition aims to fill a hole in the language—to give a name to emotions we all might experience but don’t yet have a word for.

I am a little bit in love with this word and its meaning:

Avenoir  – the desire to see memories in advance

We take it for granted that life moves forward. But you move as a rower moves, facing backwards: you can see where you’ve been, but not where you’re going. And your boat is steered by a younger version of you. It’s hard not to wonder what life would be like facing the other way…

Why I love this word, its meaning and the video is because it beautifully captures why living a life forward is so difficult. We don’t know what decisions will matter more and what relationships will change us irrevocably and what choices will lead us to unexpected treasures and heart breaks. I think if we did a ‘Benjamin Button’ and lived our lives in reverse we would have a greater appreciation for things we know are going to be magnificent BUT we would also remove that exciting possibility that the best is yet to come. If you were to reflect on your life to date what would you call out as the happiest time of your life so far? Can you imagine yourself being even happier than that?  I wonder just how much happiness you could stand?