Moments of Insight photo award
The idea will find a way.
Somewhere.
Not sure what it is at first.
Except something persistent.
Something that knows within itself, what it needs to be.
Chris West
I’ve heard a lot more “nos” than "yeses" over the past few years. And what if every open door on my way is a reminder to look through those "nos" to notice "yeses"/opportunities I haven't even thought about?
Katia Syrayezhkina
I chose this tree.
Its trunk bulging out of its skin (bark!) like a cupcake,
A wooden stick of rock,
A myriad of colours and shapes, just like humans,
All are beautiful and holding a place in the world.
Not all tree trunks are brown!
Michelle Gravatt
There are always many paths to choose from & sometimes I get overwhelmed by it all. My wander helped me to remember this: explore the path that invites bare feet and it's okay to pivot at any time.
Sammi Jones
The yellow colours of the leaf are there where the ridges of the well cover left space.
Too often we want to blend. Which creates this bland brown on brownishness.
Life is colourful when we create space for one another.
This conversation between this well cover and leaf shows us we can do it while remaining close.
As I witness more polarization in the recent years due to covid and politics, I find this healing to watch and remember.
Mariëlle Mooijekind
Where will these tracks take me? What will the coming year bring? I took this photo during the World Wide Wander on September 27th (on Zoom). I walk a lot (for exercise and for my mental health). I love the idea of bringing some intentionality to my walks.
Ellen Greenspan
So often we run throughout the day without doing things that we like or things that makes us happy. This picture should remind us to do more things that makes you happy. This picture was taken in Estepona on September, 27th.
Claudia Bisdorf
For one it's professionelle but for me it represents CHAOS.
Ramazan Koca
Amid my explorations during this month's World Wide Wander, I stumbled upon a curious sight on the sidewalk of Sofia—a delicate feather and a solitary screw, lying side by side. This unexpected pairing prompted a realization within me to resurface. In that moment the feather, light and free, symbolized the beauty of transformation and the shedding of old layers, while the screw, sturdy and unyielding, seemed to signify the steadfastness required to navigate the changes that life inevitably brings. As I observed these two objects, I was reminded that time is a relentless force, urging us to evolve and adapt, yet it also offers us the power to shape our own journeys.
With my personal question percolating in my mind, this encounter illuminated the expansive potential I hold to influence the seasons of my life, as long as I remain true to myself and my aspirations. With each passing moment, I can think on this and be reminded that the future is not merely a destination but a wet piece of clay that my own hands may influence, guided by the wisdom of my experiences and the authenticity of my being.
Jillian Joy Barre Newman
As part of the walkshop, there was a task where you wander for 20 minutes in the surrounding environment. I decided not to look for anything specific, but to just keep my eyes open and enjoy the autumn forest. I looked at the details, branches, roots, stumps, leaves and so on. Suddenly I noticed a stick figure on a branch of a tree. Created by nature! I looked at it from different angles and took this picture.
How many billions of leaves and needles fall in the forest every fall, and why were these two left waiting on the branch of a tree. Makes you wonder and wander more.
Juho Jäppinen
This photo of a picnic table at the park made me think about why we leave our names behind in public places. In words etched on to wood, perhaps all we want is to be seen. To know that in this big, wide world, our humble existence matters.
Sarah Hassanally
I’m a cartoonist. Walks are mostly searches for surprises, incongruities, cartoon ideas.
I needed out of my head, so: “what brings Rob joy?”
Cartoon joy requires purposeful craft; this was more basic.
Haphazard, earth tone patterned tile awning over a Diebenkorn-textured shop door, worn brick, blue accent: history.
Joy.
Rob Hatem
My job kept interfering with my wander. So I asked the city: who I am outside of my job? I received a few answers. One of them relates this photo I took during the walk: I’m a temporary consortium of independently-sequenced layers flowing about and attempting to share something whole-like.
Harold McNaron
I recently retired after thirty-four years in teaching. I asked myself ‘How can I experience joy?’ I spotted this little sunshine. I think it means I should get outdoors more. I feel inspired to go to the beach and collect shells for my garden rockery. Here’s to a sunny retirement!
Susan Thomson
As I set off on my quest to reflect upon a misunderstanding I had with my son, I passed a motorcycle with the shiniest chrome I have ever seen. I was taken by the brilliant reflection on the head lamp and thought, “Reflection, what a fitting start to my quest!”
Alexandria Falcon
This statue of adventurous St. Brendan inspires me to not be afraid of the unknown. The lighthouse he points to reminds me that there is always a light somewhere to guide me through the dark times. Onwards!
Aoife Herlihy
Crosswalk. City center ends – but the pedestrian street continues.
The street continues to go on. It’s just me who wants to go back. Back to the familiar, back to what I know. And look, the circled tree – the barrier I put around myself. It’s me! I cage myself!
Cristina Leasa
Moments of Insight Award winner
Nature will always find its space, even when there's apparently no more left, by reshaping, flowing, jostling. Nature can be both marvelous and unapologetically arrogant.
Laura Anzuoni
I stopped in my tracks when I saw this plaque on a bench atop a hill overlooking Ramsgate Harbour and the Sea. Such a powerful sentiment that raised several intriguing questions about the plaque, its creator, and the context behind it.
Ruth Rollason
October walks here are full of fantastical creatures. Today I walked with the question of how to feel needed, and they showed me that even when others seem scary, unapproachable or just different, I need to remember that they are walking their path, as I am.
Andrea Moed
A bright hydrangea waved hello as I turned a corner and I found an answer to the question I held in my mind. Its many rosettes and sudden shine from the rain reminded me I could seek advice from others. I saw, in this glorious, colourful friend, that many heads were better than one.
Gemma Seltzer
I'm in Wales looking after my elderly parents, both poorly with chest infections. I'm away from my family and asked 'How long do I stay?' I walked and was struck by this carving a few doors away. My Insight is that we offer a helping hand for as long as it is needed.
Karen Alford
Moments of Insight award winner
There is always another layer that is left to uncover.
Babak Fakhamzadeh
I was feeling overwhelmed when I noticed the words "everything is figure-out-able." It caught me off guard but instantly brought a sense of calm. It reminded me that no matter how anxious I felt, there was always a way through. It was a simple but powerful shift in perspective.
Liz Burkinshaw
My ‘quest’ was on whether to start a podcast, as something is holding me back...
I spotted this pair of images at the last minute.
They made me realise I am being restricted by a fear of being judged by others. I should be aiming for freedom from others’ opinions.
Beth Grayston
Whilst contemplating a career direction, I came across a bar, interesting advice. My wander continued, and I found myself back there. It’s obvious, but back to the drawing board? I later found a framework for climbing plants with the early stages of growth, quieted by the season.
Chris Bravington
I took this picture just because it grabbed me for a moment. Still there is war ongoing, Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, it seems to never ends. When I took this picture, I didn't know about tibetan national uprising day. Hope peace on earth and world.
신창식
A hole in the wall. Inside of it, flowers growing through the cracks, like an accidental picture frame. It told me everything. Things that are meant to bloom will find a way, no matter where they are. And their surroundings will become the frame to the art they create.
Elise McKenna
When the tide was out, I could walk to that island. During the Walkshop, it seemed so far away and inaccessible. My insight was that it’s not always easy to get to where I want to be, but the timing might not be right. Try again tomorrow. Be patient. Trust.
Eleanor Bucher
Moments of Insight award winner
I had a wonderful experience during WWW. The first thing I saw was a couple whose shadows expressed so much love. Back home, inspired by the phrases I encountered along the way in my practice, I created a love story using only those words, imagining it as their story.
Gabriella Paulinelli
WWWandering through Ramsgate, where streets have ‘loads of potential’ ... look up!
The sun’s out, the sky’s blue, the Georgian and Regency architecture is stunning and perhaps these oversized lightbulbs were specifically installed for us Wanderers to spark lightbulb moments?
Movement heals all wounds.
Sylvia Tillmann
I also went out with my question to the street today. A very specific one, at the moment. In the malecon of my neighborhood, on streets I've already walked but more attentive. And suddenly, the first image of this post. A good summary, getting out of the head, with curiosity-question in the body, walking slowly and also lightly. At my side, a song, life passes, to the other; a message that screams "unusual exit", the cosmos of the corner.
Ursula Franco Block
Key takeaways from #WorldWideWander 2024 in Italy: the air, sounds, and cobblestones remind us to slow down and savor the journey. Life improves with breaks, and travel renews perspective.
Go while you can—you always have a choice on when and where to venture.
ActuaLIZe your dreams and keep walking!
Liz Mohler
NOTICE LITTLE THINGS - a spark of insight from the streets of Perth for Street Wisdom’s World Wide Wander 2024.
A wee bit wet in the CBD today but that didn't dampen our enthusiasm and excitement to wander with wonder - the puddles were perfect for personal reflection.
Brett Canet-Gibson