© irene waters 2015
What is a boundary other than a barrier to passing. These boundaries are set in many different ways and forms. Natural physical boundaries are obvious. In Greenland the icy water certainly discouraged any but the foolhardy from leaving the land. A very effective boundary.
© irene waters 2015
The volcano’s sheer drop into the cauldera with it’s constant explosions of red hot lumps of rock certainly prevented me from going past the edge.
© irene waters 2015
Canyons such as the Grand Canyon created a boundary, preventing anyone from easily getting to the other side. A physical boundary for the safety of those looking in was also erected, in this case largely ignored.
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
Sometimes a similar boundary is erected for the safety of those inside it.
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
There are also country boundaries.
© irene waters 2015
And boundaries that we create. Cultural Boundaries
© irene waters 2015
These speak for themselves.
© irene waters 2015
Religious Boundaries
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
Sadly these boundaries are used as an excuse for much of the sadness in the world today. I don’t believe this to be true as I believe that all religions want to live in peace and harmony and that this is possible with a bit of tolerance. It is those who take advantage that are the actual cause.
© irene waters 2015
Educational Boundaries are huge and create problems due to lack of understanding. Communication can be difficult. This structure was a bookcase I had asked to be built. The structure that reminded me of a baby playpen was the result. These boys had never seen a book in their lives and my poor communication resulted in this.
© irene waters 2015
Hopefully these boys will get a good education
© irene waters 2015
Available to all in some societies. And perhaps the biggest boundary of all is the huge boundary between those that have and those that do not. The Wealth boundary
© irene waters 2015
Malnutrition is common amongst those that have not.
© irene waters 2015
Slums are common in the rapidly developing shift to urban living in the developing world.
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
I don’t grudge the wealthy their wealth (and many wealthy are also great givers to charity) but I do believe that we do need to redistribute the wealth to try to make the boundary between somewhat smaller.
In response to Weekly photo challenge
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
You are greatly moved by the subject of boundaries and have given much thought to expressing many ways of seeing and tearing them down, especially when they might open the doors to justice, understanding, and peace. Well done, Irene, very well done. I’m going to look at these again because I know there’s more to discover.
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Thanks Sharon. I would love to open doors on justice, understanding and peace but I think it will take more than my few photographs.
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Your photo files never cease to amaze and delight, Irene …
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You’ve made my day M-R. Love to delight you.
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I can’t believe this. Some of these (with your captions) are cutting me deeply as I just finished my 99 flash for this week and… It’s like… I can’t seem to find the words at the moment. Spectacular post.
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You’ve brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye. I hope others may feel the same and perhaps one person may change a thought that might make a difference.
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Let us hope. ❤
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Definitely hoping.
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Irene, I couldn’t put it any better than Sarah… ❤
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brrr!! that first shot! 😀
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The air hostess went through the life jacket routine. I said to her later that there would be no point putting them on as you wouldn’t survive in that water more than seconds. She shushed me and said it makes people feel better.
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I suppose there’s that, A little bit of hope matters too eh?
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Many boundaries, physical and societal. Too many boundaries, education should be a right for all who wish it. Some countries have wealth distribution sorted better than others, Norway has very little child poverty compared to countries like UK and US.
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I agree Jim. Education should be available to all. I think all the Scandinavian countries do well on social issues. Here, in the US (not sure about Britain) we strive for low taxes. This just means that services are lower and child poverty and more are the outcome.
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This is a very comprehensive post, Irene, showing a lot of world travel, accumulated knowledge of the world, and a wealth of wisdom to share, some about the distribution of wealth. I agree with you about the importance of education. I believe in the power of education to change the world. However as the have-nots gain access to education and information we may go through some unsettled times while the balance is set to rights, but it needs to happen.
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You are probably right there Norah. We certainly had unsettled times in our early western development. The difference is the weapons then were nowhere near as sophisticated and capable of the mass destruction of those today. I hope however that I do live to see a world at peace and the balance set to rights.
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Hear! Hear!
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Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge-Boundaries | WoollyMuses
A beautiful, thoughtful post about boundaries. Your photos drew me in and like you, I’d like to see the boundaries that hold other back be dismantled.
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Until we can understand cultural differences and tolerate them, learning to live harmoniously together embracing our differences and finding our many similarities I fear it will be a long time coming.
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