lovely things

1. my list - things i love about autumn, 2. Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair... ~Susan Polis Shutz, 3. bench monday : puddle edition, 4. love is all you need, 5. beckoning of lovely , 6. IMG_1523-1, 7. sunshine in a bottle, 8. yellow brick wall, 9. Untitled

It all began with a simple video, 17 things I made, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. At the end she invited the universe to join her at The Bean, on 8-8-08 at 8:08 pm "to make one cool 18th thing." She would be there with her yellow umbrella. 8-8-08 arrived and the universe answered in beautiful fashion, and The Beckoning of Lovely was suddenly born. I watched that video and was moved to tears by the simplicity and pureness of it all. No one knew what they were coming for, yet they came. They trusted in the universe, as did Amy, and something extraordinary was created. People gathering together, connecting, for good. At the end of that video Amy again asked the universe for help, to send in "lovely things" that we had made. I was moved, and so I too trusted the universe and followed my gut and sent something in. Not wanting anything but the feeling of being a part of something bigger than myself. A part of something beautiful.

Since then, Amy has returned, same place, same yellow umbrella, on 9-9-09 and 10-10-10 building each year in attendance and excitement. Tomorrow is 11-11-11, and again Amy will be returning to The Bean at 11:11am. The culmination of what began so long ago will finally be revealed.  "The Beckoning of Lovely 11/11/11 We Are All One" the movie, will be released via the world wide web. That's right, you do not need to buy a ticket for this movie, all you need is a computer screen. I have no idea what this movie will be, though I am certain it will be lovely and once again move me. Amy describes the movie as this, "an interactive love letter to the universe, this film is rooted in human connection and best shared in the company of others… be it with friends, family, co-workers, classmates, neighbors, strangers or any combination thereof. "  (i love that!)  She encourages gathering together to watch. And if you are like me, I suggest a big box of tissues...

Isn't this what we all do through our photography? We beckon the lovely into our lenses and into our lives. And every once in awhile, if we trust, something extraordinary can come out of the ordinary... The mosaic above is a joint effort from a few of the Shutter Sister contributors (very last minute I asked for help and there they were)  little bits of "lovely" all yellow with a few umbrellas,  that came to represent this very special movement. Join us today in celebrating all things lovely. Add any one of your lovely images here in the comments today and please join me tomorrow in watching the movie.

At the end of that first gathering on 8-8-08, a line of people flip pieces of paper revealing these words, "make the most of your time here".  YES!

Comments

[xanthe]

Goosebumps all over reading this, how I love this story.

As Kristin is so super lovely and too modest to mention here.... The photo she sent in has been used for the promotional poster! You proud of you... Lovely things do happen to lovely people.

[Marcie]

This is truly beautiful! I've been watching and waiting for the 11-11-11 gathering...so looking forward!
And - here's my little bit of 'yellow' for the day:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2011/11/8/city-lights.html

[Ana Eugenio]

what a lovely post! can't wait for tomorrow!! :)
here is something beautiful (one of my favourites photos): http://www.anasofiaeugenio.com/2011/11/make-wish.html
xxo

[Kathryn Dyche Dechairo]

What a beautiful inspiring post.

Here's one of my images that represent beauty.

http://dychedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/11/texture-tuesday-two.html

[Emma]

Beautiful post and such fresh, pretty images - I love the sentiment. I will be sure to watch that movie.

Here is mine:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53759195@N05/6222360364/in/photostream/

[Becky Sue]

Love that "beckon the lovely". How lovely. I'm inspired by such creative people spreading positive inspiration.

I took this yesterday during the golden hour which is so early these days.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/6331912098/

[claudia]

From a month ago, ordinary lovely is everywhere we look :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/6332002560/in/photostream

[chelle]

flowers & yellow are both lovely :) thanks for the reminder, exciting!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/magnetisedbylife/6291843546/

[autumn sun]

here's my lovely yellow
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/4436526815/

[kath]

here ... like this

I wish I had been with her ....

http://www.soeursdujour.com/2011/11/are-you-a-little-mad.html

[Kat]

I love how you wrote this: We beckon the lovely into our lenses and into our lives. So poetic and so perfect for what we do! I "beckon the lovely" in so many ways, but one of them is surrounding myself with beauty created by others: http://kateyestudio.com/2011/10/inspired-by.html

Thanks for sharing this great story and I look forward to watching the movie!

[marina]

such beautiful words and such a beautiful mosaic! I love the videos of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 gatherings, they are so hopeful and moving, and they make me believe in the lovely that can be created if we trust each other and keep an open heart, as Tammy was writing yesterday.
I am so looking forward to this movie!
here's a little lovely, found while looking for chestnuts:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mar_s/6327849325/in/photostream

[damiec]

a burst of yellow and a little bitty heart for lovely you!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22487105@N06/6332257756/in/photostream

[Valerie]

what a beautiful idea...
my little bit of lovely:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60274198@N05/6329207360/in/photostream

[margie]

i can't believe i have never heard of this! delighted to come here today and have tomorrow to look forward to.

http://www.soeursdujour.com

[Adriana]

Can't wait to see all the lovely that tomorrow will bring. Thank you for this post, I had never heard of this before.
Here's a bit of yellow lovely - (I took this shot around the same time last year - november is a golden time).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smallroots/5204572386/

[Libertad Leal]

Oh this is so wonderful! I love what you said about bringing the lovely into our lives with our cameras. yes! That is what is all about. I loved the video for the 8/8/08 gathering and I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow. So exciting! Here is my little bit of lovely yellow goodness:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/libertadleal/6239549898 Magic Light.

[Meghan @ Life Refocused]

So excited. Love the Universe and trusting in it.

[Suki]

Oh lovely! I can't wait to see that movie! :) Make the most of your time here is one of wisest sentences I heard in a long time.

[Dotti]

Ahhh! Yellow! One of my very favorite colors, I am constantly drawn to it. There is a lot of yellow in my garden when it's at its prime but in the fall, I have to look a little harder:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48337138@N04/6292418854/

The 11.11.11 movie sounds like it will be marvelous. I'll be watching!

[Christian]

I never knew about this either! Excited!!!!
Lovely mosaic!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photohugger/6331566187
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photohugger/6285146705

[Tracy]

I'm so excited to see the movie! sounds so amazing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/6332798872/in/photostream

[Valerie]

Lovely post! Can I add some joyful things...funny things?
http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2011/11/a-piglet-by-any-other-name.html

[Tracie West]

I met Amy Krouse Rosenthal today, thank you Kristin, thank you so much, for introducing us.

[Amanda]

what a beautiful post, thanks so very much for sharing. I didn't know and now I'm so glad I do. Here's my spot o' yellow in solidarity and celebration...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thedivinemissm/6332207483/in/photostream

[tara on the wander]

total goosebumps.

[Summer]

I'm so excited about this movie. What a great way to look at the world. . . beckoning the lovely. I've been surprised to find the lovely even as the season changes and the flowers begin to droop, rather than shine. Truly, it's everywhere. . .

http://runningchatter.blogspot.com/2011/11/out-of-mouths-of-babes_10.html

[Catherine Just]

Oh I'm SO GLAD you posted this. I haven't been keeping up with her and I can't WAIT to see this one! Thank you!

http://www.soulfullphoto.com
http://www.hang-on-little-tomato.blogspot.com

[Deirdre]

Thanks for this, Kristin! We sent out wishes today, inspired by this and you:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/superdewa/6335479256/in/photostream

[kim klassen]

i really need this cheer tonight... thank you for this sweet and lovely kristin...

xxo

[Gotta Run]

what a terrific idea . . . and that "love" fence has even more love now!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gottarun2009/6174583437/in/set-72157627535071935

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