Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Speak Easy

by Leigh




I'm so glad Susan has chosen "Word Art" as our theme for this month although words have never come easily for me.  Well…that's not exactly true.  Sometimes words came too easy…..actually too quickly….as in not thinking before I speak!  The true, authentic words are hard for me. At the beginning of the year,  I chose mindfulness as my word to focus on in 2014.  I wanted to be more mindful of how I speak to others, how I speak to myself (you know…that nagging inner voice that tells you that you're never good enough) and I wanted to be more mindful of what was around me in that present moment which means more listening and less interrupting.  It hasn't been an easy journey and it's not one that will ever come to completion, but I can feel a difference.  I notice myself really listening to what people have to say instead of being so quick to get my words in that I often interrupted people.  In turn conversations are more meaningful and my words are chosen more carefully and with more thought.  Thinking back I realize that I took words for granted.  I was so quick to spit them out that I was just grabbing what was floating on the surface.  When I dove in deep the words became more special and held more weight.  Does that even make sense?  I am inspired by my fellow FOL contributors whose words flow naturally.  I'm starting to feel like I can get there if I stay on this path of mindfulness.



A friend commented on one of my photos,
"Perfection.  Woman, you have a tremendous gift pairing images and words.  Truly."
Was she really speaking about me?  a gift with words?  Then it dawned on me.  It's not only the words you speak, but the words you choose! The only time words have come easy to me is when shooting my daily instagram photo.  Most of the time the words….or the idea of what I want to say is in my head before I even click the shutter.  It feels good to hear that the words I choose to accompany my images make people feel something.  I can't always come up with the most poetic of words myself, but I always know how an image makes me feel.  There is a strong visual and emotional connection and I search out the right words to express that.  Sometimes I need a quote….other times just a few words will suffice.  It's a balance of knowing what to say, how much to say, and when and how to say it.  I know I'll get there….I've just gotta keep on searching out those words.







8 comments:

Dotti said...

Such an honest and heartfelt post, Leigh ... and with beautiful words! Really! I always admire anybody who can turn a phrase in a unique and even poetic way, I love language. But I have always noticed that the words on your IG photos are perfect for the photos, not an easy thing to do. I'm so glad you shared this and your beautiful photos with us today. I think we'll all always be in search of learning to communicate in a more meaningful way.

terriporter said...

It's hard to believe that words don't come easily for you. As I've witnessed on your IG posts, the words are always perfectly chosen for the image. And as far as all of us here at FOL having our words flow naturally, I'm sure everyone would say that it's work to make that happen. And I'm sure we all have been in that place where we know we aren't really listening to the other person but are thinking of what we are going to say next. It's just human nature and I always admire so much those people who can really listen and hear what someone else is saying. It's going to be a wonderful month of words, both writing them and photographing them. You have done a beautiful job of both. Thanks for the wonderful post!

kelly said...

you are so right...words have power. and i love the way you pair them with your beautiful photos - both here and on instagram. i love how sometimes it takes a friend with a powerful word of praise to help with our own words. one of my favorite things about this beautiful community.

Cathy said...

Beautiful post Leigh. I especially love that four of hearts.

Sarah Huizenga said...

Your words were chosen perfectly here Leigh. I know exactly what you mean when you take the time to chose your words they are much more meaningful.

Ida said...

Well said! Oh my your photos do speak volumes. I really liked them all but especially the middle photo.

Kim Stevens said...

What a wonderful post Leigh...And I so agree with Terri that sometimes the words that sound effortless, don't always come out so easy. Words are so very powerful, the spoken as well as the unspoken. And one of the reasons, one of a million, why photography is so important, it bridges the gap where there is a barrier of language, but where words aren't always necessary. And your photos, just wow!

Liz said...

A fabulous post Leigh! I totally agree with Kim.

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