Global Sojourns Photography
Photography & Philosophy
Edge of the Wilderness
“Standing on the precipice of a wilderness unknown. Alone. Resistance, both past and present, pushes from all sides.” I stare at the words written and wonder what it would feel like to walk along a razor’s edge, day-after-day, your existence always in the balance.
My room fills with the warm yellow hues of the evening sun inviting me for a walk, but I am paralyzed. Mystified by this invisible force of power used to manipulate people. Used without empathy. Used without acceptance of responsibility.
From the American Indians pushed around in the 19th century, to the American People pushed around outside the White House just a few months ago in the 21st century ~ use of force, power without responsibility.
I’ve come to realize while this is a beautiful world, rich in love and life, it is a beauty balanced by hardship for those not in power.
There’s a sentence written by a Tuscarora tribe leader on my desk, describing leadership: man has responsibility, not power.
“You’re drifting once again in thought…” her voice breaks my trance. “Always reflecting, dreaming of the past.” Her voice is one I’ve not heard in a while and silently she takes form ~ she looks peaceful with a touch of sadness.
I try to hid my elation in her return. “Dreaming of the American West, the 19th century. I wish I could travel back in time and experience the freedom to explore. To gain perspective on life back then…” I whisper this thought to myself.
“Freedom for one often means the opposite for another.” She slowly slides up to my desk. “Do not dream of returning to old ways. Yesterday has long drifted down the river and it’s not coming back…”
Her laughter is not harsh, but warming, “Seriously, you living in the 19th Century? You’re definitely a helpless romantic!” She picks up my coffee mug and takes a sip, enjoying the bitter blackness. “The first morning without your gourmet coffee, iPhone and comforts of home…” Her twinkling eyes reflect my simple mind.
Can’t help but smile at the truth of her words, the rage this year has me living in the past. I feel as if I’m trapped, running in quicksand trying to reconcile the heartbreaks of yesterday with those of today. The harder I run, the further away I am to answers. Only cruel politics headline the day and I remain stuck in reverse.
“There is an old Lumbee Indian saying,” she taps gently on the side of her horse, and I watch it gracefully work its way through my living room. “Seek wisdom, not knowledge. Knowledge is of the past, wisdom is of the future.”
“Doesn’t seem to be much wisdom these days,” I begin, before she cuts me off.
“Tell me the wisdom of a 19th century, western educated white man? Believing he has all the answers, superior to all other life and therefore open to exploit the resources available.” Her eyes, while gentle, show implication. “American Indians believed the opposite, nature and animals offering wisdom necessary for a better life.”
Her eyes hold mine, filled with a genuine and deep curiosity. “Such extreme and opposite views of life. Is either correct?”
Immediately my mind swims in the melodic lyrics of Stephen Stills, and I sing, “…and nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong…”
The correct path and most difficult path is to listen, learn from others, and adapt. Of course, humans do what comes easiest ~ blame others and hide their cowardice through force.
How different would a 19th century version of myself be? A troubling question, for we are all products of our environment, the differences being the culture we were raised and shade of our skin.
A white man raised in the 1800s, without any understanding of American Indians and the west, would be at the mercy of a few biased news sources…
“Humans have the ability to take from one crystalized moment of awe, say a prairie full of buffalo, and walk away with two very different and contradictory actions. Where one sees synergy and respect, the other sees dominance and manipulation…” Her honesty speaks of today.
Walking to my window overlooking Elliott Bay, I listen to her conclusion, “…the real horror of this, both sides have absolute belief in their view and will stop at nothing to force their beliefs on others.”
I turn from the window and she turns her back on me and I watch her fade away. I flick on the TV. Words of hate coming from the mouth of an American leader.
How far have we regressed since I was a kid… or have I simply moved from the naïveté of my youth to an older, jaded perspective?
Wisdom will lead us from the chaos we are in. Courage to search for answers from all sides, with honesty the mode of communication. This is where we find true leadership. Where we find peace.
“Never forget, cowards cannot help but lie…” a piece of wisdom from the past we’ve forgotten. Leadership today is in turmoil, described succinctly in the words of the Omaha tribe, “A coward speaks with his eyes shut and from a distance. Unlike a brave man, who dies but once, a coward dies many times.”
Six bankruptcies, pages of dishonesty, and still he flails along… and further we go down this river of deceit.
On this cool October night, I am happy my muse has returned. There is comfort in her questions and her wisdom.
“Look around,” she asks, “those voices of change you hear… where are they coming from?” I look and see her as a young child, being forced to leave a place she calls home. Walking with elders, confused.
“These are the voices of the young and old. Voices rising above the din of lies seeking a better future…” Her smile grows as she promises, “these are the courageous ones, and no brave person will ever die alone.”
She turns, her face etched with hope. “The time for leadership is now, and it starts with you. A Crow shaman once said: you already possess everything necessary to become great.”
She runs her hand through my hair and rides away, her last piece of wisdom spoken in cadence with the canter. “The mark we leave on life is one to last forever; a testament to what we value in life and how we will be known and understood by future generations…”
Have the courage to admit faults. To understand someone with a different culture and point of view, it builds character, builds an alliance. It builds a nation.
Our present does not equal our future. We evolve.
Vote.
Global Sojourns Photography 
A beautiful post, so filled with wisdom. We are far from powerless though there are times when our situation makes me despair. Our vote is our voice and our power. Thank you for sharing your muse and some amazing photography.
Wishing you a well deserved holiday, Diana, thank you very much for your support and wonderful work. Take care ~
Thank you. Here’s to peace, joy, and good health in the new year.
Floored and stunned. How well the narrative combines with images! I’ll stick around.
🙂 You have helped make the holiday season a bit brighter with your words, and wishing you a great Christmas time ahead. Thank you!
Hello my friend!
I am so glad I decided to “wait” for the right moment to enjoy your latest post in all its glory. What can I say that has not already been said! You already know your writing and images are much admired by all 🙂 I am very happy your Muse decided to visit and provide much needed wisdom and reminders for all of us – regardless of our country or nationality. Like many across the world, I too am thinking of you – and your country. Please do continue to take care Randall!
Hello Takami, so very nice to hear from you again and thank you so much for the nice comment. While this has been a very strange year, an the holiday season is a bit gloomy compared to past one, I’m very optimistic for our future. Wishing you well in Japan, and enjoy the final weeks of 2020. Take care ~
A visit from a muse does not always leave one amused. Sometimes, a deeper, less transient mood transpires, leaving tracks from days past to the potential of days future. Let us hope enough people can see past their narrow little slice of here and now to look upon the bigger pictures, and how they reflect our times both past and present.
Excellent shots, as always.
Thank you very much, Dave. This year seems to have been filled with many different moods ~ and even while this holiday season may not be as festive as those in the past, it is still a great time of year. I travel down to Portland today to meet with my sisters before hitting the road East to Pendleton. It is good to be home. Cheers and happiness to your family over the holidays.
Happy Holidays, Randall. It’s nice you can manage some family time, and visit the wayback machine in Pendleton.
One of these years I need to check out Pendleton. What’s to see beyond the rodeo?
Dear Randall, striking photos. The ideal of finding equity holds on to hope, as I think it should. Your presentation is beautifully tragic, emotional and a poignant reminder the human condition. I am deeply moved by the following, “Seek wisdom, not knowledge. Knowledge is of the past, wisdom is of the future.” Here’s to a bright future. Wishing you well, take good care. ~ Mia
Hello! Fancy meeting you here? And lovely to hear form you? have you put up your blob again? Despite all the hassle? I’ll click on your click just in case. I hope you and yours are well in all this madness. Stay safe.
Brian
Hi Brian! It’s very nice to read your words, thank you. Likewise, wishing you and yours well. ~ Mia
🙏🏻
Dear Mia, thank you very much for your nice words ~ they are a perfect remedy for me to start the holiday season 🙂 While the holiday season may be a bit more subtle and relaxed this year, it is still special and I think sets us up beautifully for a great future. Wishing you happiness and health as we finish out the year. Take care ~
Likewise, Randall, may health and happiness lead the way into 2021. Warm wishes. ~ Mia
What an incredibly powerful post, Randall. Your images are striking. I especially love the last one. It is sad that there is too much power without responsibility these days, and definitely not enough wisdom.
Thank you very much, Jolandi. I hope you are doing well celebrating your first Christmas in a world place, and I think while the overall mood is a bit subdued with all that is going on in the world – the future is looking much brighter, Wishing you well.
I love the fact that it is only the second Christmas in my life that I’m celebrating in Europe. It is so different from celebrating Christmas in summer or in an Islamic country. Feliz Natal! May you have a blessed festive season.
Beauty, humanity, hope, and wisdom in perfect sync! Respect and applause, Randall
Hope and wisdom do make a great pair 🙂 Thank you, Sidran, and wishing you a great final few weeks of the year and great health and opportunities in the year ahead. I think the world and humanity will reclaim of bit of themselves in 2021, I’m very optimistic. Cheers ~
Our present does not equal our future. We evolve. …oh yes as I witness from the north…I want to believe…your post reminds me of the work we do with truth and reconciliation here in Alberta…I curious about relationship and your research…wonderful post as always Randall ~ sending you all good things ~ hugs hedy ☺️🤗
Thank you very much, Hedy. While this year has been a test for all of us, I think we are on the path to greater understanding and reconciliation ~ a long road to travel but I’m very optimistic. For my research on this post, I grew up in Eastern Oregon, in the town of Pendleton which is next to the Umatilla Indian Reservation and they play a large role in our community. ~ wishing you a great holiday and take care.
Amazing pictures.
Thank you, Rabirius, wishing you well in the last few weeks of the year.
Wonderful portraits. I often think I was born in too modern and age, but then I realise how much I would hate the restrictions and prejudices of those earlier ages. I think what I long for is a more simple and gentle life – and mistakenly believe that’s how it was in the past.
It is a nice feeling to be able to connect to a past era, and to dream about how life would be back then ~ but, yes, as you say there would be such a shock of restrictions and prejudices along with difficulties we couldn’t even dream about that it is nice to be where we are. Where we are suppose to be I suppose 🙂 Thank you very much, Andrea, wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season.
Hi “Dalo”. I’m moving along reasonably well with my sketches. I will let you know when they’re ready. Thanks. Many. For the inspiration.
One question, which will help my draing/painting: are those one particular tribe? Or several? They look like Plains Indians to me, but then you’re “North-West? Can you shed any light?
Dekuju.
😉
Good, and difficult question. Where the photos were taken in Pendleton, Oregon there is the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and they have lived on the Columbia River Plateau for more than 10,000 years. The tribes at the CTUIR are the Umatilla, Cayuse, and Walla Walla. But at the Pendleton Round-Up , tribes from all around the Northwest attend: Nez Percé, Yakama, Tenino, and Palouse. I hope this helps ~ and great to hear about your sketches, their culture is truly inspirational. Děkuji mnohokrát. 🍻
Merci infiniment cher ami. 😉 (French is easier than Czech. 🤣) (at least to me) Those names will help get background… I’m starting the first round of watercolour on the last sketch. I have a somewhat lengthy process. Penci. Then ink. Then two rounds of water colour. Penci’s easy. If you make a mistake, you can erase. Then… there’s no going back. But I really want to thank you for those inspiring photos. As in Women of the West, but a few levels higher in “production terms”.
Stay safe. A bientôt.
Fascinating, loved the pictures and the thoughts. Do you know how many American Indians there were when explorers came to America? How many are there today, is there full integration, I really don’t know much about this. Do they have representatives in the parliament and your upper house?
HI Charlotte, and thank you very much for your nice comment. You ask a very good questions, and I do not know and a bit of research shows that nobody is real sure, and the numbers claimed by different groups range between around seven million and up to twenty million 🙂 Their history is fascinating, and I have just starting reading a book about Meriwether Lewis and his exploration of the West in the early 1800s to learn a bit more. Wish you and your family a great holiday season, be safe and take care ~
My brother studied The American West at school and learnt about the Trail of Tears and how the West developed but when I asked him he didn’t know the numbers, I’m fascinated. Have a super Christmas and I hope we all have a better 2021.
Best wishes Charlotte
Dobri den Dalo. I finished my sketches/paintings and posted.
I’ll be curious to hear your reaction. 🙏🏻
Humble thanks for the inspiration you gave me. Twice now. 😀
Stay safe. 😷
Beautiful images, Randall. Love these radiant faces of the young girls. Back in 2008, I was lucky to attend a church meeting in Page, AZ. I and another couple were the only non-American Indians in the room. Among other speakers, there was a teenage girl who shared her experience during a recent visit to Mexico to see her relatives. With tears in her eyes, she expressed her gratitude for everything her family was blessed with to compare with her cousins in Mexico. Don’t think she would like to go back to the 19th century 😊 And it is a good thing. As you say – wisdom is of the future. After the meeting was over, a young man sitting next to me started asking questions. His friends joined us too. We talked about Europe, Ireland. I felt like the happiest person in the world 😊 May all the young people have a great future.
What an amazing experience you had when you were in Page, AZ, Inese. It is always good to remember and reflect back to the times of the past and our ancestors, but I am with you in seeing the present and future and being where we are now. Places we can use and find new wisdom. I’ve ancestors from Ireland, and do want to learn more of their lives and history – a fascinating topic. Wishing you well this holiday season, and take care.
Happy New Year, Dalo! Hope you visit your ancestors’ land some day. What part of Ireland are they from?
That was uplifting! Thank you for sharing it. I have a bit more hope this morning, thanks to you and this touching piece.
Thank you, Billy, and I too have much more hope these days, even amid this somewhat stifled holiday season there is a lot to be thankful and hopeful about the world. Wishing you a great Christmas and holiday season, keep healthy and stay strong.
Happy Weekend 🙂
There is so much in this piece I think I could reflect on it for a week and still come up with something, Randall! I am touched by the deep thought and the reverence paid to atrocities of the past…as well as the current ones. Your muse is full of wisdom and I am not sure if we have completely moved beyond any of it…but I have to be hopeful that the current conditions MUST change for the better!
The photos are stunning by the way 😉
I wish you all good things. Stay well…be safe! And Happy Holidays…all of them! ❤
This is so well presented and expresses so many things I’ve wished to say this year but didn’t find the words except in bits and pieces, here and there. Thanks so much for posting it and for your thoughtful and deep-rooted integrity.
Amazing read 👌
Dear Randall, It is worth walking the path of wisdom throughout one’s life. It is worth taking the side roads and opening your heart. It is worth reading such texts paired with the images that speak the truth. I am only too happy to accompany you on your journeys, because they are different from the journeys I usually find. But everything has its meaning somewhere …………. I hope at least. Thank you for this heart touching reportage. Many greetings Ariane
Stunning pictures and a very beautiful read too!