1,000 Words

Lately, I've been searching for words out in the world - words that speak to me and make me pause for just a moment of consideration. Once I started searching, they were everywhere - little treasures right there in the wide open spaces of my everyday life: On buildings. On city streets. Even at gas stations. I love how the universe finds us, how it speaks to us in unexpected moments, and how the very messages me most need to see are so often right in front of us. We just need to look.

Sisters, let's see how many words we can collect together. I promise that with each word you find, your heart will lift with a split second of wonder.

Picture and words courtesy of Honorary Sister and artist extraordinaire Kelly Rae Roberts. Visit her beautiful blog, pour over her rich portfolio and be prepared to get swept away!

Comments

[Alicia]

Living in Brooklyn and exploring NYC, I see words and signs everywhere... My favorite finds are the positive, inspirational ones.... Like this one I found in the bathroom at a coffee shop.... http://aliandsethinthecity.blogspot.com/2009/04/enjoy-life-now.html

Or this one, that made me smile after it was drawn on the wall of our apartment building. It lasted for a couple days until it finally faded with the rain... http://aliandsethinthecity.blogspot.com/2009/05/yo.html

And recently, I got a chance to leave my own message on a bathroom wall.... http://aliandsethinthecity.blogspot.com/2009/05/looking-for-message.html

[Laura]

I relish these little finds in the hustle and bustle of the day!! Can't wait to see what everyone shares!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35374947@N04/3501966563/in/set-72157617750576970/

[jag]

Oooo, these are one of my favourite kinds of photographic finds!! Sometimes the Universe hands me the complete thought... other times, a found word inspires a meaningful phrase. Thanks for the invitation to share a few of my creations here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/3374281738/in/set-72157607328527864/ (Toronto)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/3374268518/in/set-72157607328527864/ (Toronto)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/3371968226/in/set-72157607328527864/ (Toronto)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/2893267671/in/set-72157607328527864/ (Ottawa)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/3391146948/in/set-72157607328527864/ (Ottawa - an all time fave for me)

(Too many links, I know... and I had to stop myself from posting more! :-))
xox

[Karyn]

This one I took in Rothenburg again, but it was just perfect. Rothenburg is also along the Romantic Road.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kayak57/3572458607/

[nikki]

Here is a recent Polaroid I took in my small village/town.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artandlemons/3512297515/in/set-72157617867040304/

[debi]

Oh, it is those words that are accidentally funny that I like. :)

http://emmatree.blogspot.com/2008/05/another-disturbing-sign.html
http://emmatree.blogspot.com/2008/05/oh-ye-of-little.html
http://emmatree.blogspot.com/2008/05/hill-blocks-view.html

[Kathleen O.]

I love 'found' messages...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/3354592675/in/set-72157607737732299/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/2662184918/in/set-72157607737732299/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/2912182631/in/set-72157607737732299/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/2912183029/in/set-72157607737732299/

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

Instead of words.....


I have found messages.....


http://www.wayfaringwanderer.com/search/label/reminder

~WW

[summer]

I'm always looking for words...I love when I find them sprawled across buildings...
unfortunately they are very quick about painting over these little treasures in Seattle so you have to be fast. Too often I've noticed one and then when I head back with my camera it is gone...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sufferingsummer/3457785560/

[Lisa Ceaser]

That is an inspiring post. Maybe it's why I was so drawn to this shot..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/3564483661_6c16053681.jpg


I am going to be on a mission now to seek out more words.

[bebe]

I shot this on the way to my office. It's a good question, I think.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mydailypic/3368313843/

[darrah]

I found this on the sidewalk at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park. It popped up at just the right moment (both literally and figuratively.)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artcetera/3573524574/

[Jen Zahigian]

I love to photograph signs, not always for what they say, but how they say it.

I walk by this "Awake" almost every day. I think it's beautiful, simple, and inspiring.
http://jenzahigian.blogspot.com/2009/05/monday-morning-rise-and-shine.html

Here are a couple of signs I just adore. I think they're each charming in their own way, but my heart belongs to the Shoe Shop.
http://jenzahigian.blogspot.com/2009/05/sfmoma-artists-gallery-warehouse-event.html

I found this handpainted marriage proposal on a billboard in West Oakland. Reminds me that love can be found in the most unexpected places.
http://jenzahigian.blogspot.com/2009/03/west-oakland-love.html

This one makes me smile. Found in Berkeley, Ca.
http://jenzahigian.blogspot.com/2009/04/day-of-fun.html

[Becky]

There is a cryptic message on one of the walls near my building, it works itself well into more "edgy" portrait shoots:

http://blog.bagdanoffphoto.com/?p=118
(4th row down)

Words and photos go well together, there are some awesome examples already posted above!

[Gail]

...a little out of focus but one of my favorite words...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/3573703502/

[djbeat]

i saw this on a school the other day & burst out laughing!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3556194416/

& how else can a new mom entertain herself:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3507037158/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3507038926/in/photostream/

[thea]

what a great uplifting and inspiring post Kelly!

I will be keeping my eye out for words. So fun!

[Diane]

congratulations on all that excitement that is brewing Kelly Rae. I found these words while on vacation:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27458974@N00/3573105305/

[Vanessa]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/2881458907/in/set-72157607625768404/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3296224780/in/set-72157607625768404/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3385433556/in/set-72157607625768404/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3530863064/in/set-72157607625768404/

... and I'll keep searching for more :)

[Paris Parfait]

Great photo and yes, so delightful to come upon words (often little hidden messages) in unexpected places! xo

[My Two Seasons]

Tuesday night I went out with my sister to downtown to take some pictures. We found some fun words and when put together in a certain way, they make a great and inspiring message!

http://mytwoseasons.com/2009/05/28/wake-up-and-live/

[chocolate covered musings]

i've found a few since being in england...

words discovered during a wordless month: http://blog.verdandi.co.nz/index.php/2007/12/31/words-i-have-discovered-during-this-word-less-month/

CLEAR: http://www.flickr.com/photos/leoniewise/3567247341/
this one is particularly meaningful to me right now as i try to both clear out physical clutter and get clear on what it is that i want and am asking for (in both verbal and non-verbal ways).

[beth]

you just have to have this kind of attitude in order to get through each day...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29291473@N04/3574317438/

[elk]

today I snapped this one:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/3574316066

[Tracy]

Philadelphia, PA - March 2009

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tracylederer/3442003575/

[kosenrufu mama]

i really love her work and the blog is amazing, thank you for sharing!!!!!!!!!

[Shae]

I too, love words. Here are some resent word shots I did. I am amazed at what you can find when your not even looking!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/saflower/3565935466/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saflower/3502795256/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saflower/3501976405/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saflower/3471950673/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saflower/3471951583/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/saflower/3479985861/

[Kristen]

I loved the way these words have chipped away. They've been through so much yet the message still holds the same :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lateriser/3173873772/

[Jaana]

The name of the store says it all! http://www.flickr.com/photos/dxeechick/3587755381/