What Does The Word Mean - Part VII

"I know all those words, but that sentence makes no sense to me."

Matt Groening

Have you ever thought those words as you are reading? I ran across this quote and thought of David Whyte's book Consolations: the solace, nourishment and underlying meaning of everyday words. This is a book I am reading with an online group, Adventures In Seeing, led by Kim Manley Ort. We read his thoughts on a word, form our on opinions, and then taking or finding a picture to illustrate the word.

Sometimes Whyte's thoughts confuse me. He likes to use a lot of words in his sentences. For example one sentence I read had:  93 words, 2 colons, 10 commas, and 1 period. That makes it just a little complicated for me to follow. I have to break down the sentence phrase by phrase and then sometimes I just don't understand what he's trying to say. It has definitely been a mental challenge for me, but oddly enough, I like the challenge. I don't always agree with Whyte. He can be negative and I'm not, so I do my own research even on the simplest of words. His definitions usually make me think of the word in a way that I haven't before. 

Here is the next six words in this project, my thoughts, and my pictures to illustrate them. Enjoy!

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PAIN

If we open ourselves to pain, we open ourselves to being compassionate and caring when others suffer.

"Suffering produces perseverance,

perseverance, character,

and character,

hope."

Romans 5:3-4

* * * * *

PARALLELS

Webster's definition of parallel is: (1) extending in the same direction, everywhere equidistant and not meeting (2) very similar and often happening at the same time. A synonym for the word parallel is companions: one that is closely connected with something similar. 

As I thought about the definition of parallel and its synonym, I thought of our group at Adventures in Seeing. We are a group who are closely connected with our passion for photography. We are walking parallel paths, but sadly we will probably never meet, just as two parallel lines never intersect. I have been encouraged and inspired walking this parallel path with so many talented friends.

* * * * *

PILGRIM

Who am I?

I am a pilgrim who is on a journey from the moment I was born till the day I will die. What lies ahead is unknown, a mystery, a pathway leading through highs and lows. I am trying to take this pilgrimage slowly, moment by moment, not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, but trusting that God knows what is ahead and strengthens me for the journey.

"What lies ahead is often unknown.
But keep traveling."

Lailah Gifty Akita

* * * * *

PROCRASTINATION

The word "procrastination" often brings negative thoughts. But, as David Whyte says "What looks from the outside like our delay; our lack of commitment; even our laziness may have more to do with a slow, necessary ripening through time and the central struggle with the realities of any endeavor to which we have set our minds." Sometimes it might be to our advantage to sit back, think things through, and complete the task at a later time, much like this tulip that unfurls its petals slowly and at the right moment.

* * * * *

REGRET

I have a tendency to say "I won't regret this" or "I don't regret that," when in all honesty I have regrets. Regrets can be like prickly thorns that spear me when I'm most vulnerable or I can acknowledge them, learn from them, and grow.

* * * * *

REST

"To rest is not self indulgent, to rest is to prepare to give the best of ourselves, and to perhaps most importantly arrive at a place where we are able to understand when we have already been given."  David Whyte

colors of blue and green

sounds of water and birds

feeling wind and sunshine

smelling flowers and damp earth

These things slow my breathing and my mind. In nature I find rest.

* * * * *

I've recently discovered through a friend's blog a new word that describes me - logophile. A logophile is someone who loves words. I do love words. I like to read them, write them, and study them. I also enjoy this project of taking pictures to illustrate them. Let's see, we've studied words from A through R. I wonder what R through Z will bring. I hope you come back to find out!  

Be Still 52 - Week 52

I felt like I needed to have a finale for Be Still 52, a year long class on still life photography that I took with Kim Klassen. I was looking forward to the last post and the last week's exercise. The post came with a beautiful photo, a thank you, and a goodbye from Kim, but no exercise. I was disappointed. I felt a little let down. So, I decided to do my own finish. I chose to create a few still life images with sea shells, since that's how I began a year ago. The first picture I posted for the class is the one above. I don't know that I can adequately describe what I have learned this year. This class was a big step outside of my comfort zone. I am not a still life photographer unless it is a still life in nature. I struggled the first few weeks. I just could not create those beautiful soft images like everyone else.  My heart had to be in it and it wasn't until I began to create with the things I love; bits and pieces of nature. That's when I relaxed, breathed, and found peace while setting up and photographing my simple arrangements. 

The shell above is one that I picked up when our family vacationed on Dauphin Island, Alabama last summer. I was captured by it's imperfections. The sand? Along with the shells I did bring home a container full of sand! 

Playing with the shells and sand brought back such wonderful memories of the best vacation I've ever had. I loved the beauty and sound of the ocean and I loved the week spent with my family!

I enjoyed the early morning walks along the beach; the sun coming up, my bare feet in the sand, and my little red bucket filled with shells. Oh, how I long to return. Maybe someday!