The Beauty of Words

As I unpacked my suitcase when I arrived home from Shutter Sisters Oasis, I came across a moleskin journal that I had received while there.  I took it out, set it on a table near my couch and went about my business.  A few days later, I had heard something that I didn't want to forget, so I quickly reached for the journal, grabbed a pen and wrote down what I had heard, words that had really resonated with me: Whatever follows the two words "I am" is going to come looking for you. I had to write them down.  Those words were too powerful not to remember.  Then, because they moved me so, I wanted others to feel their power as well, so I grabbed my phone, snapped a photo and shared it on Instagram.

It's been a few weeks now and surprisingly, I find myself writing something in that journal almost daily.  Even better, I've noticed in doing so I'm feeling more calm and more centered.  For someone with A.D.D. like me, that's a big deal.  When I think it's something that should be shared, I again grab my phone, snap a photo and share it on Instagram.  Not only are these words beautiful to me, but the comments I'm getting on my shared words have been awesome: Thank you for this today; Keep 'em coming!; You have no idea how much I needed this today.   Aren't words just beautiful? What a gift.  

Today, write some words of beauty that mean something to you.  You can use pen and paper, chalk on a sidewalk, lipstick on a mirror.  Then, take a photo with your camera or phone and share them with us.  If you want to share your beautiful words on Instagram, be sure to hashtag them using #thewrittenwords so we can feel their beauty, too.  You can find me on Instagram at chris_sneddon.

what you need to hear

Images inspire me. To see the world differently. To recognize beauty. To honor the moment that is right now and to also remember what once was.

Words can do the same thing. Whether in sequence or in solidarity, the right words can sooth, encourage, nudge, or stir up somehing within me. Some words bekon me to slow down while others activate something inside me. Whatever it is I most need to hear, I always seem to find somehow. The Universe is mysterious and wonderful like that; delivering messages at just the right time.

Sometimes I appreciate most those words that allow me to relax and sink into a way of being that's full of peace and contentment.

Exhale, savor, rest, be. 

Other times, I love soaking up the words that urge me to take action. Do something, activate something, set something within myself free.

Dance, dream, create, fly.

Have you stumbled across any words lately that reminded you of exactly what you needed to hear? Or was there a message that surprised and delighted you when you came across it? Share with us the words and images that remind you of something you want to carry with you.

And don't forget, it's Best Shot Monday so we'd love to see your favorite image from the week. Who knows, maybe it holds a hidden message as well.

trust

What a great month it has been watching all 'your words' appear here and in our One Word Project pool on Flickr. However you chose it, may your word serve you well. May it guide you, encourage you, remind you, inspire you. May it whisper to your soul when you need it most. May it push you past the not so good days and help you celebrate all life has in store for you. You have only just begun your journey this year,  now you need to have faith that your word is the one, and then trust in the process. Embrace this new year, as you have embraced your word. If you are still searching for your word, it will come, trust in that. Perhaps when you least expect it, or stop trying to find it, it will find you. If you need a little extra inspiration check out all the amazing images contributed this month in the OWP pool, or perhaps re-watch that great video Chris so beautifully curated last week in her "power of one" post. (if you missed it last Tuesday, do click on over now) I love that video, it feels so powerful.

I can wholeheartedly say I really feel my word this year. It was not at all the word I thought I needed.  In the beginning of January when I began contemplating a word for me and my year, I was feeling words like simplify, center, & balance, all good things, but internally I knew something was missing and it was holding me back from fully committing to any one of those words.  Then a dear friend and I spoke and she shared her heart with me and that she too was feeling many of those words but that they did not feel proactive enough. That was exactly it!  As soon as she said that I knew that was what my heart was longing for, an action word!  Those, to me, seem riskier, scarier, therefore making me more vulnerable.  That may be true, but that is just what I need to push myself this year. On my drive home that day my word hit me, become.  Now I am embracing it, fears, nerves and all. My word is speaking loudly and I am listening.

Tomorrow we begin a new month and announce a new one word, but we have right now to celebrate all of our individual words one last time. Tell us, how do you feel about your word, are you trusting in the process? Do you feel it doing its work?

New vocabulary

Remember when flare referred to the number of goofy buttons a waitress wore on her suspenders? And F-stop sounded like a train destination? Depth of field makes you think of deep sea diving and composition is something that Mozart is famous for. I won't even mention what exposure or ahem...pocket wizards might evoke. Perspective is what you'll hear if you ask my opinion about the state of the economy (ok, not really. It's what you'll hear if you ask me about the last episode of Teen Mom or Real Housewives). And then we have aperture and bokeh, which are barely real words at all.

Digital photography has become a largely self-taught subject and it certainly took some time for me to learn the vocabulary. But thankfully the fancy words and definitions take a back seat to the most important thing, the imagery itself. Nothing can replace the act of practicing and playing with your camera to create beautiful photos. If you are still learning the ins and outs of photography, don't be intimidated by the confusing banter or complex gear you may encounter. Have fun exploring and experimenting until everything starts to makes sense.

Now's the time to ask a question about photography you've been dying to ask! There is a community of sisters here waiting to help. Or, if you are feeling like you've mastered most photo skills, share a tip with us that you wish you'd known when you started out.

A new year, a new word

 

Happy New Year! We made it…together.  Another year behind us, a brand new one ahead.

Oh, the bright and beautiful possibilities!

It’s that time again, for setting our intentions, making our own personal creative goals and exploring new ways of being in the world. For the last few years, we’ve joined collective energy with our dear friend Ali Edwards through her One Little Word tradition. Way back when, at the start of our One Word Project, it was Ali that inspired us and proved that indeed, One Little Word could make a really Big difference in our creative journeys.

Today, we kick off this month of beginnings with YOUR word. We did it last year, just like this; asking YOU to celebrate YOUR word all month long for the One Word Project, in honor of One Little Word. YOUR word. Share it with us here in the comments and in our OWP Flickr group and who knows, YOUR word might be featured here!

So, as we start, share with us…what word do YOU choose to begin 2012?