This content is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced or copied in part or in full without permission. Authorization by author requires a written request and approval before any form of reproduction.
Glancing over my shoulder, I see my trail of iridescent golden disks along the graveled path. Did I value them enough as they marked the days? With unflinching regularity they fall, whether I loved them or tried to delay their offerings. Time passed either way this year. With only a couple of spins around the pole, my pockets will, again, be bursting with shiny new opportunities, refreshed dreams, and hopes for delicious adventures in 2025. Our revered and symbolic January First inexplicably touches a special nerve—a visceral reaction within the gut; a mind-body conjunction that seemingly dares us to believe in new beginnings and, perhaps, forgiveness of things left undone, unhealed, unmet, unclear. Yes, a chance for forgiveness in wanting everything we experience to be absolute, controlled, and making sense to us and for the anger, shame, or other related emotions when control never manifested. We all know “it’s the journey, not the destination,” and we naturally strive for understanding and management of our unfolding story. Astute observation and the wisdom of experience enable many of us to effectively steer our ship on calmer seas, but in storms, no single human is truly in control. Fear often can take over if our focus is on controlling rather than embracing and riding out the lesson. Hopefully we gain insight, greater depth of character, and profound new experiences. I suggest letting fear only be a momentary catalyst for reassessment of your perception. Stop your brain chatter. Take a deep breath. Pivot. Go deeper. What is the POV of others in my story and why? What is my treasured life lesson here? I believe that experiencing life through a heart perspective rather than holding on for absolute control will soften and shorten lessons. I’ve discovered new emotional awareness more quickly in that state. Some of those disks behind me do not shine as brightly as the others, and I want to work on that. My goals in 2025 are to keep my heart open to more consistently manifest my dreams; to love and understand as deeply as possible the people and events around me; to remind myself and others that we benefit by embracing our lessons; and, finally, to be grateful for everything--Divine Gifts, loved ones, my experiences, and the opportunity to shape outcomes. Wishing everyone a marvelous New Year. --Jeannette Bondurant © 2024 Photo: FelixMittermeier, Pixabay
0 Comments
This content is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced or copied in part or in full without permission. Authorization by author requires a written request and approval before any form of reproduction.
It was a typically hot Beijing summer. I felt an undeniable thrill of danger and an absolute fascination as I wandered through a cloisonné sweatshop. Watching out for bits of copper slivers everywhere--and winding through twisty passages, unavoidably brushing hips and shoulders with running machinery--I marveled at women placing those curvy bits of copper onto metal pots and vases with tweezers, then blowing colored enamels through gorgeous silver airbrush tubes. Flowers and figures were magically brought to life within a crazy quilt of textured copper. Insanely fast. Minutely detailed. Remarkably perfect. It was sheer artistry in a space of cluttered chaos. My small VIP contingent from a U.S. university was given remarkable access in China. Organized for a formal signing ceremony of collaborative exchange with a university there, we received highest honors as guests because education and teachers are highly revered in their culture. This day, I felt compelled to bring back not only a beautiful piece of cloisonné but also the elegant, breath-controlled airbrush equipment that so mesmerized me...that stopped me cold in the middle of a crowded, loud, and dangerous room of exquisite artists. Now, I look at complex hand-crafted art with even deeper appreciation after seeing firsthand the manual dexterity, artistic skills, pride of work, and time required for each piece. I see the artists' faces. My still life grouping has the silver airbrush set on the left with its mouthpiece and spray tube, decoratively etched base reservoir for enamel, and tiny brushes tucked into slots. Other items include a silver and wood decorative hair comb from the museum shop of a school dedicated to the education and cultural preservation of Chinese ethnic minorities; my small photo album; a cloisonné pot; and a custom carved soapstone chop gifted to me, which has my name transformed into Chinese characters to imprint onto the sealant wax of my personal correspondence--just like all the top literati. --Jeannette Bondurant © 2024 Photo: Jeannette Bondurant |
AuthorJeannette Bondurant Archives
January 2025
|