A little word fun . . .

by Kim

 "Love is a force more formidable than any other. It is invisible - it

cannot be seen or measured, yet it is powerful enough to transform

you in a moment, and offer you more joy than any material possession could."

- Barbara de Angelis

I spent some time over the weekend ( a ridiculous, lose all accounts of time ridiculous), having some fun with words... words of love. For this one I used a poem I wrote several years ago.

I have to admit it was a bit addictive once I got going. 

And once I started getting into the groove, all kinds of ideas just started flowing.

And then I remembered one I did last year with the word "FLY" and butterflies, that inspired this one. 

And, I've got a few more ideas I want to see if I can work out, with the help of some coffee and chocolate...of course! Both are part of my love language.

Now I need to go print some of these out, get a pen, and write a little love note on the other side. One I know will be sealed with a kiss.

Have a wonderful day!

Kim

Be Our Guest - Kelly Kardos

It is my pleasure today to introduce our guest blogger, Kelly Kardos. Many of you know Kelly as I do, from Instagram where she comes across not only as a great photographer but a fun person, someone I’d love to meet up with ‘for real’ sometime.

Kelly’s style philosophy begins and ends, “where the little things make up the big picture.” This helps her slow down and pay attention to the little things that might otherwise be overlooked. Whether it’s behind her DSLR or her iPhone, Kelly likes her photos to tell a story, as if we didn’t have a written language. You can find her on Instagram  @kellykardos or on her personal blog.

What's In A Word?

[wurd] n. Simply put; one or more spoken sounds or written representations.

But nowhere in the definition does it mention to empower or enlighten. This is my third year choosing a word. Before that it just felt like making a New Years resolution. I was never good at those either, pretty much failing miserably before February.  I believe fate stepped in three years ago.

Before I chose the word “LIVE”, I questioned, researched and read -- a lot -- to try and understand what exactly it was I was trying to do. What I found was choosing a word is more of a philosophy and that seemed much easier to grasp than a bunch of restrictions I had always placed on myself. Then, unknowingly, I set myself up for failure.

I started by writing random words that seemed inspiring. It was like shopping and, hey -- I was good at that! I opened my heart and read each word one by one. Quietly to myself and awkwardly out loud letting each one dance and swirl on each breath I took. I mulled the words over through out my day. I was in a photography rut:  full of self-doubt, hesitant to try new things and forgetting to have fun -- THAT was a biggie. So my word had to have meaning and purpose.

One word kept leaping off the page at me -- LIVE. It felt good and I was excited. So, LIVE it was. I was going to climb out of that box I had put myself into. I hand stamped my new word onto a washer, attached a band and made a bracelet so every time I looked at it I’d be gently reminded to stay the course.

 But Fate was already intervening.

Soon after, tragedy struck … over and over again, the horrible, gut wrenching, life altering kind of tragedy. I learned what I was made of that year. I lived through more than any one person should ever have to in one lifetime, much less in 365 days. But I lived and fate knew I would need to rise above it all.

Last year my chosen word was “Breathe” -- a no brainer really. I needed to mourn my losses and heal my broken heart and soul. My husband, Frankie, ordered a beautiful necklace with my word and I wore it religiously every day. It was something tangible, touchable and oh, so relevant.

My word for 2015 is “Balance” and it seems to marry "Live"and "Breathe" together hand in hand -- especially coming out of a year of no self imposed demands. I will be practicing time management so I can enjoy the day as it’s meant to be enjoyed and still do what is necessary. Jewelry seemed only appropriate to guide me on my new path and failure is not in this year’s vocabulary. 

“Women need real moments of solitude and self-reflection to balance out how much of ourselves we give away.

                                                                                                                     ~ Barbara de Angelis

Dotti, and all the beauties here at Focusing on Life, thank you for allowing me to share from my heart in this beautiful and sacred space for women to come and just be … in community and spirit.

                                                                                                                                                            Kelly

Words

by Linda

 

 

 

"You too, my mother, read my rhymes

  For love of unforgotten times,

  And you may chance to hear once more

  The little feet along the floor."

  ~Robert Louis Stevenson

...
 

A photography tip I learned in Kim Klassen's Be Still class is about being still and contemplative as I prepare for a shot and as I look through the viewfinder. I find this practice also applies in other ways in life.

The internet has helped to bring us all a little closer together. We no longer have to wait for a letter in the snail mail or a telephone conversation, we can send out an email, text message, tweet, facebook or blog post. Instant communication. It's really wonderful to be able to reach out in so many ways in such a speedy manner.

Words are powerful. They can be filled with emotion. Filled with love or filled with animosity. Words can be felt by the listener and by the reader.

For me, the problem with all this lightning quick communication lies in the fact that the written word can take on different meanings. Meanings based on the emotion or situation of the reader. The message that is interpreted by the reader may sometimes be entirely different than the intent of the writer. Without a voice to place proper emphasis and emotion within the text, the reader is free to place the emphasis and emotion where they will and to define the message as they relate to the readers knowledge or place in life. Sometimes entirely not what the writer intended. And sometimes a degradation between parties can occur. The reader may feel insulted, abused or hurt by these words. If that was the intent of the writer, shame on then for hiding behind a computer to intentionally hurt another person.

But then, this is exactly why poetry is so wonderfully timeless and personal. We are free to make each verse our own. We are free to claim any emotion we feel as we read it. We can define the verse to our own experiences. If you have ever been to a poetry reading, and heard one of your favorite verses read, you may have come away with a different feeling other than the one you had when you read it yourself.

I think we all know how powerful spoken words can be. A parent knows well that their words can make a tremendous impact on a child. We know to calm down before speaking and choose our words carefully. And we know to say the most powerful words "I love you" and "you're so smart! beautiful! talented!" often and with meaning to our children.

As powerful as written and spoken words are, even so are the words that are not spoken. Imagine thinking back over your own life and not having a memory of ever hearing those most powerful words from your own parent.

Even a "thank you" every now and then is a really nice thing to say, to write or to hear.

So think a moment before you speak. Stop a moment before you send out a tweet, an email or text message, a facebook or blog post.

Are these the words you really want someone to feel?

...

Can you believe October is almost over! Don't forget to add your twilight shots to the gallery!

And have a happy and spooky Halloween!

...



The Words We Tell Ourselves

by Judy

You know that tiny little voice inside our heads that can affect our mood and self confidence? Our so called 'self-talk?'  If that voice is telling you that you did a good job, or that you look great today, well, that's a good thing.  But I've learned that much of our self talk tends to be negative. Instead of saying you did a good job, your little voice could be telling you that you blew it, and you're never going to get recognized at work. Or maybe it's telling you that you will never be able to finish the half marathon that you're running, and that you're such a loser for not making enough time to properly train for it. 

We all know that trying to change our self talk from negative to positive is a step in the right direction, and is certainly a far better way to view ourselves and the world around us.  However, I recently learned that negative self talk actually releases destructive neurochemicals in our bodies.

Here's an excerpt from an article in Psychology Today, written by M.D.'s Mark Waldman and Andrew Newberg:

"If I were to put you into an MRI scanner - a huge donut-shaped magnet that can take a video of the neural changes happening in your brain - and flash the word "NO" for less than one second, you'd see a sudden release of dozens of stress-producing hormones and neurotransmitters. These chemicals immediately interrupt the normal functioning of your brain, impairing logic, reason, language processing, and communication.

In fact, just seeing a list of negative words for a few seconds will make a person feel worse, and the more you ruminate on them, the more you can actually damage key structures that regulate your memory, feelings, and emotions. You'll disrupt your sleep, your appetite, and your ability to experience long term happiness and satisfaction.

If you vocalize your negativity, or even slightly frown when you say "no," more stress chemicals will be released, not only in your brain, but in the listener's brain as well. The listener will experience increased anxiety and irritability, thus undermining cooperation and trust.  In fact, just hanging around negative people will make you more prejudiced toward others!"

Did this information surprise you as much as it did me? I never knew that negative thoughts and words could cause so much stress and damage! 

The good news is that this same article tells us that positive thinking 'propels the motivational centers of the brain into action, and that regular positive thinking about yourself helps to develop lifelong satisfaction.' 

If your 'self-talk' tends to lean toward the negative, why not change that starting today? Let's be nice to ourselves. Let's treat ourselves like a best friend. Let's focus on 'happy' and 'grateful,' and 'I am enough!' 

The Written Word

by Kelly

We all know that words have power.

The words that we read.  The words that we speak...both to others and ourselves.  

But there is special power in the written word.   

I have long been a proponent of writing things down.  For me, when I write things down, it tends to stick better...like appointments on my calendar and my to-do list.  And it's been proven that students who hand-write their lecture notes retain a significantly higher percentage of the information that is given in class.  

Researchers who have studied this phenomenon discovered that the physical act of writing stimulates the visual, motor, and cognitive parts of the brain.  To put pen to paper requires that these three parts of the brain work together, and it is in this process that a unique neural circuit is created.

  

I find it fascinating that writing and reasoning are so profoundly connected.  But I would like to think that it is not just so that we can keep better track of our grocery lists.  I also believe that writing things down has the power to heal.  To edify.  To encourage.

Words have power...yes....but there is magic in the written word.

Try it and see for yourself.

Until next time.

Kelly

p.s. A special thanks to Karen Walrond for sharing this great NYTimes.com article.

Focus on Phoneography

Thank you all so much for continuing to share your beautiful word art with us.  So much gorgeous inspiration in our Instagram pool!

@karenmarie63 @shan_leigh71 @fourcornersdesign 

@gabrielabout @jdoust @nikonmomma2 

@debram56 @coppercurls55 @sunnybarb 

We have another week or so with the word art theme, so let us see how you find inspiration in words.  And be sure to tag your images #focusingonlife.

Happy Sunday!

Messages from the Universe

By Cathy

I like to call them messages from the universe. And if I am honest with myself they are everywhere, I just have to be observant enough to take note.

Often I discover them when I least expect to, but need them the most. Maybe I am having one of those days where I am super busy or down in the dumps or maybe I just don’t feel well and suddenly there it is; some kind message working its magic on me. Offering me a moment to ponder life and grasp just how beautiful it really is.

Hearts are especially fun for me to find and find them I do in everything from cut watermelon to tree bark. For me they don’t count if someone has placed them there. But if you take time to look you will discover them in leaves overhead and rocks underfoot. 

But words and art they always count. And if you keep watch you will find them in the best places. Of course there is graffiti, which is a very under appreciated art form in my opinion. 

And then there are love notes tucked in places and hidden from view, meant only to be seen by lovers. 

And there are signs; crazy, awesome, amazing signs, which can lead you from here to there and let you know when you have arrived. Just in case you failed to notice. 

Then there are words people put on themselves; words they want to carry with them forever. Words that are relevant and often validate something meaningful for them. Everlasting, beautiful words. 

One of my favorite things to do is to put myself in the message from the universe somehow, just for proof. 

“A picture can tell a thousand words,

but a few words can change it’s story.” 

~ Sebastyne Young

What has the Universe been telling you lately? 
xooox 

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.