We use language to convey actuality and imaginary ideals. This communication helps us understand one another on a deeper level. It’s how we convey certain aspects of ourselves with other people.

With that said, everything you’ve ever spoken. Everything we’ve read or written. Every single word that we’ve heard is nothing more than a concept.

Hear me out. Let us explain.

We’ll shine light on how concepts become concepts, and what that means for your life.

The Distinction Between What “Is” and How We Talk About It

Let’s look at this distinction as an imagined, tangible space existing where what actually is and how we verbalize it. Create it however you want. You choose the shape (if there is one) and how it feels. It’s yours.

Now, remember talking about something that was difficult to put into words. Can you now see (or sense, maybe) the challenges of verbalizing that event, those feelings, and/or the idea itself?

What is, is what is. It’s not the words we use to communicate about it. Our communication is merely an attempt to conceptualize it. And to then invite others to comprehend what we’ve conveyed to them. (Or to our selves.)

It’s never the words you use. Language is just a tool you use to share with one another.

The thing that exists does so without our words. And “it” exists when we speak about, too. Of course this existence can be within a lapse of time, or in memory, or wherever it..um..exists. The point is “it” doesn’t need our words to be what it is. It already was, at one point. So it is. (However “it” takes shape.)

We conceptualize what actually is to investigate “it.”

What Is and What We Say It Is

Let’s look at some examples because this shit is giving me a headache. Sorry if you have one, too.

Take fruit, for instance. How many words are there in all of humanity to say ‘apple?’ Apparently, lots. (Naturally.) Poma, Mela. Elma. And so on.

Does the apple change in any way because we called it by another sound, or language? Of course not. It remains the very apple it grew to be.

It was that particular apple as a seed. Then on the tree, and after it was picked. It will remain that same apple even as it is eaten, or it decomposes. It can’t be anything else. It can only be that specific piece of fruit, in all its various forms.

Produce doesn’t know what we call it, right? It only knows whatever it knows. And don’t quote me on this, but trees don’t speak Human. I bet its offspring… wait.. botany won’t, either.

It is our conceptualization of the fruit that gives it outside meaning. It might be associated with a memorable, relaxing afternoon at the orchard. Perhaps it was used in your award-winning poma pie. Maybe you link the fruit, in general, with some dream, or something.

Actually, it’s probable that you won’t remember the mela at all. I mean, to you and me, it’s just a piece of produce. But to that elma, that’s its entire life. You know?

It’s good to be as objective as possible in life, sometimes. But we can only do so as humanly possible as…uh..possible. So, your understanding, memories, mood, and so on will likely influence how you see everything, to some extent.

That’s not a horrible thing. Information that challenges our perceptions of reality needs time. Especially if you consider shock and confusion and stuff. I’m just saying that realizing that we can only perceive through our selves makes life less staggering. Actually, that might make life even more startling.Hmmm…

At any rate, our internal activity can tell us a lot. It’s not “meaningless.” It just also doesn’t necessarily mean what we want it to. Now that I’m thinking about it, sometimes it’s just noise, and means nothing. Either way,“it” only means, well…what “it” means. We have to explore the actuality to find out.

Conceptualizing Ideas

On one hand, conceptualizing, uh…concepts makes that idea more real. Or at least more tangible, to us, to play with.

On the other hand, concepts must be “real” somewhere.

Philosophies are not physical, right? We can’t hold them in our hands. But we can “grow” them in our minds. So the idea exists somewhere, wherever that is. Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to think of it. It simply wouldn’t exist at all. You know?

To put it another way, the themes you find yourself pondering must be at least a seed, of sorts, somewhere. Inanimate objects might expand from damage, in a sense, but they cannot grow on their own. You get what I’m trying to say.

Except, like the apple, the concept also is what it is. It’s what we do with it that changes (or maybe creates) the meaning of it.

Communication is Merely Abstraction

Every single damn thing we’ve read, written, spoken, or thought is merely a concept related to what is.

Sometimes it gives us a more solid understanding of it. Other times, pondering only confuses you, and leaves you frustrated.

Either way, we assign what “it” means. Mostly to only us, because we (ourselves) are what and who we are, as we are. That is to say, you can see only as far as you allow yourself to. Your perspectives, life experiences, and beliefs will dictate how you perceive.

It’s our conceptualization of things that changes, at least on many levels. Yes, we change. Fruit rots. Flowers close. Regardless, whatever “it” is, it’s that thing that remains through the phases.

I guess it kinda doesn’t matter anymore, does it? All this is just another thought. In a never-ending space of ideas. Drowning in an infinite sea of what is. Scrutinized by what may possibly never really be.