The summer reading program at our library has started.
I love that it is online and that adults are welcome to participate. Points are earned by doing various tasks. One is to learn five words. I found a website with a fun list of words and will work through it. To earn this point, I have to use the words in my life. Here are the first five words.
- Zenith – the highest point above the observer
- Zealot – a fervent and even militant proponent of something
- Yearn – Desire strongly
- Yawner – someone who yawns
- Xenophobia – a fear of foreigners or strangers
These are some great words. The one I was drawn to was xenophobia because I wondered what its opposite was. I guessed it was xenophilia and was correct.
According to Wikipedia, xenophilia is an affection for unknown/foreign objects, manners, cultures, or people. I believe that if everyone traveled outside their home, there would be less conflict because people do not fight what they recognize as normal.
As I googled words that started with “xeno,” I learned something cool. Luna Lovegood, an awesome character in the Harry Potter books, has a father who enjoys meeting new people and learning about them. His name is Xenophilius Lovegood. J. K. Rowling once again showed how clever she is by describing a character’s personality with his name.
Let’s be more like Xeno Lovegood and treat strangers as new friends. It isn’t necessary to travel to another country to be a xenophilic (although it is a great idea.) Just step outside your door, or if you can’t do that, open a book.