A piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone or a tendon. Sinew, what a word! We have decided that we are going to start naming a Word of the Week and our first one is SINEW. Are you picturing the flesh? Is it making you uncomfortable? Well that’s life, baby, so might as well embrace it. Which is what we intend to do today in all the gory detail of the, and yes I am saying it again, sinew.

My first encounter with the gritty, slimy goo that keeps us together we all know and love was when I was just seven years old. My father brought me into his garage and taught me how to slaughter, skin, and break down a lamb. I saw how the animal that was just living could quickly become nothing but tendons, meat, and sinew. It was then that I understood how fragile and pathetic we humans are. How easily we could become meat ourselves.

I slowly developed a fascination with flesh and bone, as well as the tissue connecting them. I would find biology books at the library and the various book stores in my hometown, trying to learn everything I could. It was during this education when I unlocked the secrets of sinew, the secrets of my mind. In a way, as a flesh sack myself, I always knew there was something bizarre about my nature. Discovering that all animals, all beasts share this with me was an eye-opening experience.

Ever since, I have felt a greater connection to the world around me. I am both distinctly alike my fellow beings and yet somehow still alien to the plants and green life that inhabits the majority of this planet. How can these paradoxes, these contradictions exist? Why do I feel at home and torn apart by the only place I’ve ever known. Am I alone in this? Please tell me I am not all on my own.

I truly hope that this word will bring you joy in the week to come. When you find yourself feeling self conscious or down or doubting your abilities this week, just remember sinew. It will lead to a better life, trust me, I have literally no idea what I am talking about.

This article was written by Nathan Ellwood, who is actually just a bunch of worms in a skin suit. Follow him for more on Twitter @NPEllwood.