Begüm Bener

I believe there’s power in redefining things for ourselves — giving fresh meaning to old words, breaking down mental walls…love is an act of will.

It’s been a bit heavy here where I live in Istanbul lately. The protests over the past couple of weeks have stirred up intense energies, making it harder for me to concentrate on many things, including reading, especially those requiring deeper focus. So, my reading time has dropped quite a bit, though not completely 🙂

This week, I found myself drawn to a lighter, more reflective book called Own It by Diane Von Furstenberg. It’s not your typical read — it’s a collection of definitions written by the author, where she shares her personal take on words that have shaped her life. It is like a poetic dictionary.

Definitions matter. The way we define a word or a concept gives it meaning — and that meaning carries energy. The way we understand or relate to a word can shape how we experience it. A single word might stir up a negative association for one person, while feeling neutral or even empowering to someone else. That’s because, even when we use the same language, the emotional resonance behind our words is deeply personal.

That’s why I believe there’s power in redefining things for ourselves — giving fresh meaning to old words, breaking down mental walls, and making these concepts more approachable and alive in our own unique ways. 

Here are a few words Diane defines in her book that stood out to me:

Bed: My mother used to bless her bed every night, thankful for the sheets, the blanket, the pillow, and the warmth she had craved during her 13 months of captivity during World War II, where all she had to sleep on was a wooden plank shared with rats. She gave me a sense of respect for the bed. The bed is our most important ritual. It is where we are conceived, born, loved, lie sick, and die. The bed is where we spend half our time… where we rest, dream, and refresh.

Commitment: A commitment is a pledge, a decision to do something and stick to it even if you don’t like it in the moment, it is the action of owning it.

Effortless: Effortless is what owning it looks like, even though it is hard work.

Invisible: The extraordinary thing about seeing the invisible is that it is the first draft to creativity and manifestation.

Own it: The more I think about it, the more I think owning it is the key for everything, the secret to life! It applies to everything and everyone. It is about assuming responsibility, accepting reality, and dealing with the truth.

What are your favorite words? And how would you define them?
Feel free to comment — I’d truly love to hear what comes up for you.

With love and belief in your unlimited self …

As always,

Much love ❤️

Begum