Kristen Wood's portrait
Kristen Wood: Photgrapher
Peguche, Imbabura, Ecuador
email: kwoodphotography@gmail.com
"Lessons
From A Journey South"
(Twenty Inspired Visions...)
Sometimes
life sends you spiraling into unanticipated realizations. Shattering all
previous perceptions and expectations....delivering the broken pieces of self
into unchartered territory to form itself anew. 7 months ago, I sold all of my
belongings & set off into the unknown. I've soared to the highest of highs,
and the lowest of lows on this journey....and what it has taught me, is priceless.
Peguche,
Ecuador
1.
Let it all come to you. No agendas, nor expectations. Eyes wide open, see what
crosses your path...and be open to receive...allowing the story to unfold
itself.
Montezuma,
Costa Rica
2.
Allow yourself to be enchanted, permitting the unseen to penetrate your world
and challenge your senses...dreaming itself into reality. Find the magical in
the mundane.
"There
are two ways to live your life - one is as though nothing is a miracle, the
other is as though everything is a miracle." ~Albert Einstein
Near
Santa Maria, Costa Rica
3.
Look up. Be present. Don't bury your head in a stream of thoughts forgetting to
feel that which surrounds you.
“The world is full of magic things,
patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” ~W.B. Yeats
Turbo,
Colombia
4.
"It is better to travel well than to arrive.." ~Buddha
There
are many ways, many paths, methods and options to growth...to evolvement...to
new perspectives...don't concern yourself too much with the
"how"....instead, simply walk it and you will find yourself amazed
with far more than you could ever fathom...so long as you keep walking...
Dabeiba,
Colombia
5.
When in doubt, smile. I find it is a universal language that can penetrate the
hardest of hearts...and most wary of glances.
Salento,
Colombia
6.
Allow detours. Get lost. Challenge yourself. Live on the edge once in awhile.
Feel alive. Change, change, change until you can change no more. And
eventually, you will find that you have finally met yourself, as if for the
first time..
Peguche,
Ecuador
7.
Flow. Be flexible. Be silent. Be open. Just be.
Cabuya,
Costa Rica
8.
Darkness always precedes the light. Welcome the chaos when it comes...you'll
appreciate the light that much more...and you just may find yourself inspired
for the new..
Salento,
Colombia
9.
There are always doors. There are always options. If you find yourself
discouraged and caged by your choices...never forget to exercise the will to
change your mind, your direction, your intentions....develop your personal
power...be fearless in the face of confusion...a new world is always a thought
away....
"One's destination is never a place
but rather a new way of looking at things." ~ Henry Miller
Cabo
Blanco National Park, Costa Rica
10.
Learn from your surroundings. Stop and soak it in once in awhile...allow
yourself to drown in the obvious...you may find yourself surprised with the
knowledge to be gained from observing your surroundings....little epiphanies
announcing their presence with the swiftness the wind carries...
Salento,
Colombia
11.
Relax! Slow down. We are sometimes trained to believe that we are rushing off
to "somewhere"..the somewhere being an undefinable illusion -
remember, you are living right NOW. It is okay to do "nothing" and
instead enjoy all that the present moment has to show us..in fact, it may be
when we are most alive..
“By letting it go it all gets done. The
world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is
beyond winning.” ~Lao Tzu
Puerto
Obaldia, Panama
12.
“The only journey is the one within.” ~Rainer Maria Rilke
What
is it you are seeking? Sometimes it is good to assess just that which motivates
you...you may be disappointed by your expectations or lack thereof if you are
not honest with yourself from time to time...remind yourself of the inner/outer
reflections that make the best of teachers from time to time...
Montezuma,
Costa Rica
13.
Be gentle. Be kind. "Do unto others, as you would have them do to
you.." Remember we are all in this together...be willing to see beyond the
veils of separation....
Cabo
Blanco National Park, Costa Rica
14.
Reach for the impossible. Create your reality...do not lay blame nor
responsibility on others...strengthen your reserves of power and soar to the
highest of possibilities...
“Whatever you can do or dream you can,
begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” ~Johann Wolfgang von
Goethe
Montezuma,
Costa Rica
15.
Let go. It may be letting go of expectations...memories...old versions of
self..fears...but above all, let go....allow yourself to open to different
perceptions....no one ever got anywhere new by holding on. Be willing to face
the unknown and ride the waves into untold growth....you will surprise
yourself.
Quito,
Ecuador
16.
Never underestimate those that cross your path, presenting a perfect
mirror...challenging all perceptions of self, allowing an immense opportunity
for growth.
Quito,
Ecuador
17.
Above all, forgive yourself! Mistakes were meant to be made. No one ever made
it anywhere trying to be perfect. What is perfection anyhow? Challenge
yourself...lose yourself...it's the only way truly know yourself in the end.
Montezuma,
Costa Rica
"To be a star, you must shine your
own light, follow your own path, and don’t worry about the darkness, for that
is when the stars shine brightest." ~Author Unknown
Quito,
Ecuador
19.
Do not waste time on fear, worries & regrets. It truly will not get you
anywhere. And 9 times out of 10, nothing ever turns out half as bad as you
thought..and most of the time it turns out 10 times better than expected! Never
once have I felt threatened on this journey...the world is far less frightening
than most suspect. I am a big believer that you attract what you put out, I
choose to send love and love is what I've received. People are people wherever
you go. And the kindness of strangers I've encountered is astounding...
Montezuma,
Costa Rica
20.
"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it--even if I
have said it--unless it agrees with your
own reason and your own common
sense." ~The Buddha
We are nothing but a sea of perceptions
after all. Make peace within and trust yourself...and most importantly enjoy
the journey!
Kristen
Wood is an artist, photographer and writer who chose to leave behind the world
of familiar conformity and embark into the unknown. She currently resides in a
small village in Ecuador and intends to continue the journey south....allowing
all to unfold as it will...
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