100 Day Project 2021

Friday, September 4, 2015

What Does The Word Mean?

WORDS

We speak them every day. We make a sound or a combination of sounds that communicates a meaning. We write them. We read them. WORDS carry immeasurable significance. The universe was created with WORDS.  "God spoke the world into being by the power of His words."  Hebrews 11:3.

I know how to read words, to write them, to speak them, but photographing the meaning of WORDS is a big challenge. A group organized by one of my favorite photographers and teachers, Kim Manley Ort, is trying to do just that. We're using the book Consolations, The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning Of Everyday Words, by David Whyte for our prompts. Whyte turns our attention to 52 ordinary words "each it's own particular doorway into the underlying currents of human life. Consolations invites readers into a poetic and thoughtful consideration of words whose meanings and interpretation influence the paths we choose and the way we traverse them throughout our lives." (from David Whyte website.)

This has been a very challenging experience for me. I have been known to say that I don't "philosify" about my photos. I take them for pure pleasure, but this gathering has taught me to look at things differently. To take the week's word, mull it over in my mind, decide how I could represent my feelings of the word in a picture, and then actually find and take the picture; as I said very challenging! I'd like to share these words, my thoughts or sometimes just a quote, and my photos with you.


ALONE

where I can hear my thoughts
where my mind can rest
where I can feel delight

"In solitude
the mind gains strength
and learns to lean upon itself."
~ Laurence Sterne



AMBITION

Ambition is the inner force needed to propel me to my goal even though there may be struggles and hardships. I've always been amazed at how a delicate mushroom can push through the hard ground as it seeks the light. Nature is a wonderful teacher.



ANGER

"Anger is like a storm
rising up from the bottom of your consciousness.
When you feel it coming,
turn your focus to your breath."
~Thich Nhat Hanh



BEAUTY

I am a seeker of nature's beauty.
I am in constant awe of God's creation.

"He who seeks beauty will find it."
~ Bill Cunningham



Beginning

"All glory comes from daring to begin."
~ Eugene F. Ware

Do I dare often enough?


"Words mean more than what is set down on paper.
It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning."
~ Maya Angelou

9 comments:

  1. I love all your examples to go with the words you've chosen, Cathy. My favourite is the lone clover flower with with the word 'alone'. I also feel that however many people are around us, we are all basically alone with our thoughts, our choices and the life experiences we have to face in a lifetime.
    I agree that the group gathering for analyzing these words and what they mean to us personally is a very creative one. The fun part is choosing the appropriate photo to express and enhance our words.

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  2. What a lovely post, Cathy! I think your photos perfectly symbolize each word. I can really feel each emotion coming from your beautiful work...

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  3. This is an inspiring post! From the positive take on the word "Alone" to the reminders of God's beautiful creation. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I will definitely be bookmarking this post!

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  4. Such fun, sometimes things that aren't easy for us to do or represent are the most rewarding. Good, lessons in working through these words through your images.

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  5. Wow you find interesting challenges. This one is great and I think you did a wonderful job with your photos. The one that stood out the most for me was Anger just because that shot really seemed to express that emotion. Also the Beginnings shot.

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  6. Lovely photos to accompany these words. I am thrilled to see you are participating in this group. I started, but all my other projects changed my course, which I am very happy with.

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  7. you picked some real winners to star in this show!!! words are nothing, without the emotions to back them up!!!!

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  8. I love these so much. Beautifully done.

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Thanks so much for stopping by!!