© 2009 Marica

062 – Where’s Wally?

You have a unique message to deliver, a unique song to sing, a unique act of love to bestow. This message, this song, and this act of love has been entrusted exclusively to the one and only you.
— John Powell

Are you familiar with the book series “Where’s Wally?” Apparently in North America Wally is actually known as Waldo!

My children and I have had many hours of fun looking through the pages of the numerous books in the series documenting Wally’s travels. There are no words in these books, only pictures. The purpose is to look carefully and try to locate Wally in the extremely detailed pictures. As you search for Wally you see heaps of other things of interest. Wally is always dressed in his unique red and white striped top with matching hat (and pom-pom) and blue trousers. However, he can be hard to find. He gets lost amongst all the other people and things in the pictures.

I find it interesting that the original “Where’s Wally?” book ranks #88 on the American Library Association’s “100 Most Frequently Banned Books” list because of a topless woman that appears near the upper right of the “On the Beach” scene. Apparently her exposed breast was considered offensive. I can’t say I ever noticed it – must go have another look.

You might be wondering why I am going on about this book. If you look carefully at today’s photo, taken while visiting the National Trout Centre in Turangi, you’ll see a baby trout swimming in the water that I have nicknamed Wally. Can you find him?

I love this photo because it depicts four worlds (similar to Escher’s lithograph Three Worlds) – four perspectives of what was there before our eyes. First, the world beneath the surface of the water – where Wally lives and will grow, his home, a place where he is free to be himself and to do whatever he needs to do. Second, the world on the surface of the water – notice the lovely green azolla, a moss that grows and floats on the surface of the water. Third, the reflections of the surrounding trees with their lush growth standing tall and proud, almost protective of the surroundings, like the arms of a loving parent. Fourth, the reflections of the clouds and sky encompassing everything – always there and the place we all look to for inspiration and dreams come true.

Wally made himself obvious to me today. A tiny little trout, just beginning life. He alone appeared in this photo yet the water was full of other much bigger trout. Wally delivered a message to me – he helped me see the beauty of what was there before my eyes – the miracle of the beautiful world I live in.

Today was a wonderful day.

Manifesto
14. Every day the ordinary can be the extraordinary.
17. Every day look through a new lens.
25. Every day your light shines for others to see.

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01 Nov This entry was written by Marica, posted on November 1, 2009 at 11:56 pm, filed under books, exploring, landscapes, on the road, passion, photography, spirit and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.

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