The Wisdom Project
Everyone’s got something worth saying. Most people just never get asked. We rush past each other, assume we know the story, and forget that every face carries its own battles, victories, and truths.
For this project, I take a portrait, look someone in the eye, and ask one question:
“What do you want to tell the world?”
Some of these people are friends. Others are strangers I met moments before I pressed the shutter. All of them have something to tell.
I shared one of these voices every single day for weeks.
These are their truths.
This is the Wisdom Project by Kaleb Elledge e6pics
“Build your ark, let God take care of the animals. Genesis 6:22” -Marc
"Let the world turn upside down, let everything be in darkness, in smoke, in uproar - God is with us." St. Francis de Sales -Chad
“To be great, you must do the obvious thing. Over and over and over.” -Scott
“Community is built by how we show up; in words, in presence, in patience. And meeting people where they are will reveal whether you choose to be a bridge or a boulder.” -Sara
“Through my highest highs and my lowest lows, Jesus has always whispered this verse to me even when I felt like he was so far away. John 13:7 “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Sometimes we hear God loudly and other times it’s hard to hear Him, even in those times He’s there. His arms are always strong enough to carry you. You are never too far gone for God’s grace.” -Brittany
Rejection is God’s protection. He has a plan greater than you could ever imagine, no matter how uncomfortable the present may be. You just have to trust in Him and get out of your own way! “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11 MSG -Shiloh
“Appreciate the moment. Live in the present and stay in every moment.” -Keygan
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7 -BJ
“Give them grace.” -Jessica
“The crash does not define who you are. How you respond will. Dare Greatly.” -Brandon
“Love hard. Love often. Show up for people in both their highs and their lows. The world is tough, but love softens it - so give it freely while you can. Time isn’t promised to any of us.” -Emily
“Do right by the world and don’t let anyone stray you off of that.” -John
“Right when you think you were buried by your situation, God reveals that you weren’t buried, you were planted. New things are springing forth. New things are taking root. This is going to take a perspective shift, though. God is in the business of bringing dead things back to life, but it’s up to you to see the potential in what He’s planted.” -Lauri
“There is nothing that you could do and nowhere that you could come from that could separate you from the love of God.” -Colton
“Treat everyone with compassion because you never know what someone is going through.” -Mindy
“Jesus saves.” -Shawn
“Love is coming!” -Jordan
“God, spouse, children; in that order.” -Lana
“There are a thousand problems in the world, just be happy.” -Alex
“Your feelings matter because YOU matter.” -Sarah
“Life is short. Hard work and patience can change your life.” -Mostàfa
“You never know what someone is going through. Be kind.” -Rocky
“Live life to inspire your inner child. Embrace curiosity and wonder. And remember, courage isn’t the absence of fear, but taking action while feeling it.” -Ciara
“Don’t let the circumstances around you change your belief in God. Let your belief in God change the circumstances around you.” -Mark
“Life is short. If you’re not having fun you’re not doing the right thing or you’re doing the right thing wrong.” -Marcus
“Learn to trust others and heal from hyper-Independence. My strongest relationships have bloomed out of being vulnerable and learning to ask for help; and, from serving others. To need and be needed is to do life authentically.” -Cassie
“Today… don’t waste tomorrow’s energy on yesterday’s problems. Be here now, you and God can figure the rest out later.” -Tyson
“Be still.” -Nita
“Walk into the unknown with nothing but faith. Show up every day with tired hands and a hopeful heart, not knowing how it will all work out. Trust God every single day.” “The same God who honored Ruth's loyalty, honors mine. He will lead me into new beginnings I never saw coming. He will turn my survival into favor.” Ruth 1:16 -Kirstin
“Don’t be afraid to grow a mustache. I’m 84 and this is my first one.” -Charles
“When you choose to love someone you make a vow with the universe, an unspoken promise that one day this love is going to cause you pain. Because to know love, is to know grief. To say hello, you will one day have to say goodbye. When it hurts love feels like a curse and I wonder why I would subject myself to this misery but by gods, if it isn't worth it every time.” -Lyric
“Embarrassment is an under explored emotion. Make a fool of yourself!” -Nadia
“It’s just coffee. Don’t over complicate it. I tell people that here. At the end of the day, it’s just coffee. Everything is going to be just fine.” -Jase
“In moments when disappointment leaves us confused and lost, Jesus remains the unchanging example of love.” -Ady
“Be so consistently full of joy that others ask, “Why?”Then you’ll have the opportunity to share the source of your joy — and invite them into it, too. You’ll never know how your joy can inspire others until you share it. -Aly
“God makes things uncomfortable when He wants you to move.” -Crystal
“E is for effort.” -Barbara
“Accept the things you cannot change, change the things you can, and pray that God gives you the wisdom to know the difference.” -Michelle
“Leave it all on the field. You only get one shot at life.” -Dustan
“Always be kind and know that everyone is going through something that we know nothing about.” -Christy
“Be good or be good at it.” -Donavon
“AND saves space for human complexity.” -Katie
“I was brought up that if you see something that needs to be done, just do it.” “I’d just as soon rather be a cowboy.” -Cory
“See yourself the way you see others, and you can move mountains!” -BreAnna
“Don’t play leap frog with a unicorn.” -Evan
“Do you know the story behind Yahweh? Inhale and exhale. Yah. Weh. You literally say His name when you breathe. Even when you can’t speak you're still praising Him.” “This God—His way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, but Yahweh? And who is a rock, except our God?— the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.” - Psalm 18:30-32 ESV -Morgan
"Time is the one thing you don't get back. Do it now. Be present." - Holly
"Lo mas importante es creer in Dios. Las cosas buenas bunen despues" - Heriberto
“Hi I’m Ami. I’m a libertarian candidate for the presidency of Texas. I built this place this bitch calls a coffee shop. I see your big cameras and I like them. Jim Carrey is no American!” -Ami
“Be an honest man. Your truthfulness (or lack thereof) will affect you and those around you more than you realize.” -Jessie
“Stay in school.” -Kelly
“Progress, not perfection.” -Derrick
“Life is not going to be easy but you have god in your side and you can do anything you put your mind to. Just ask for guidance.” -Norma
“Get a tattoo, man!” -Chris
“Dream without fear. Love without limits.” -Chelsea
“Shine bright like Jesus.” -Amber
“When the worries of life feel overwhelming, fix your eyes on Jesus. He will carry the weight-Trust Him.” -Taylor
“Do the things you want to do while you’re young; while you can. Live life through life. Everyone waits until they retire to travel and then sometimes they can’t. Break that stigma and live your life!” -Donna