Photo Essays
Diksha Arturi
Young judo enthusiast captured in mid-flight at the Naple’s Star Judo Exhibition in Italy. The non-profit judo school under the direction of Gianni Maddaloni draws young children off the dangerous streets of Naples. Maddaloni’s son Guiseppe won judo Olympic gold in 2002 after his father was inspired to open the Club in 1992.
Diksha Arturi is a retired UN staff member formerly with the UN Secretariat Field Personnel Division. During her 37 years of service she also worked at UNOPS and UNDP and served as Focal Point for the Ombudsman’s Office working closely with staff and legal officers, to arrive at mutually satisfactory resolutions to internal disputes. Ms. Arturi is now a Certified Pilates Instructor at elite athletic clubs in New York and gives private sessions to professional athletes. A global traveler, she continues her long interest in photography now that countries have re-opened.
Photo: Diksha Arturi
Patricia Lynne Duffy
The Natural Wonder of Hope
Hope is a life force. It has inspired some of the most memorable and beautiful lines by some of the most memorable and beautiful people:
Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey towards it, casts the shadow of our grief behind us.
– Samuel Smiles
Hope is the thing with feathers. That perches in the soul–And sings the tune without words—
And never stops—at all—
– Emily Dickinson
Fear is not a proper motivator. Hope wins out.
– Michelle Obama
“…all human wisdom is contained in these two words, ‘Wait and Hope.”
- Alexandre Dumas
Hope isn’t something you ask of others. It’s something you must give to yourself.
– Amanda Gorman
Photos: Patricia Lynne Duffy (Cape May, New Jersey)
Patricia Lynne Duffy is the author of Blue cats and chartreuse kittens: How synesthetes color their worlds (Henry Holt & Company, 2001), soon to be an updated audiobook. She is contributor of the chapter, “Synesthesia and Literature” to the Oxford Handbook of Synesthesia (Oxford University Press, 2013) and recently designated Literary Coordinator of the “Journey through the Senses” upcoming conference, as well as regular contributor of articles and author interviews to their Journey through the Senses Online Magazine. For a number of years she has taught in the UN Language and Communications Programme for staff and diplomats at UN Headquarters in New York as well as offices in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Haiti. She is the originator and organizer of the “Authors-for-Literacy” reading series to benefit literacy projects of the “UN Staff 1% for Development Fund”.
Barada Merri Weisbrot
Mockingbird – represents innocence which is reflected by its joy and playfulness.
Goldfinch – symbolic representation of our aspirations, hopes and goals – its song symbolizes an expression of one’s inner self – free from everyone else’s judgements.
Robins – signify the stimulation of new growth and renewal and that everyone can make changes with joy, laughter and a song in their heart.
Great White Egret – symbol of balance and calmness – shows the possibility of being at peace with and within oneself.
Cedar Waxwings – known for both their beauty and behavior. They are non-territorial birds (rare) often displaying affection such as grooming one another which shows signs of compassion and empathy. Shows by example how humans (should) interact on this planet.
Phoebe – said to remind us of the faith that is unseen yet is the assurance of things hoped for. Each spring the Phoebe beckons us to believe in possibilities and to watch for their fulfillment.
Orange Tufted Titmouse (eating out of my hand) – teaches us to use our voice and the immense power of small things and of seemingly small ideas.
Photos: Barada Merri Weisbrot (Central Park, New York)
Barada Merri Weisbrot was born and raised in Linden, NJ and joined the UN family in 1976. She was one of the early “graduates” of the G to P examination, and from 1980 until her early retirement in 2007 provided all aspects of Human Resources services from staff administration, recruitment, training and career counseling at UN Headquarters in New York as well as offices in Santiago, Chile, and peace-keeping missions to Guatemala, Angola and Namibia. Since leaving the UN, she continues to bring peace to people, one foot at a time, as a certified Reflexologist. Many of her former UN colleagues are clients. She currently resides on the upper west side of NYC, across the street from Central Park where she can be found most days of the week (even if only a few minutes) photographing the glorious seasonal birds of the Park.
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