I am feeling a little stale with inspiration today. Beauty, or a thing of beauty, sometimes restores one’s mind. This small bag reminds me that life is a flash of defining moments. What you see or how your perceive, what you hear or choose to hear really is defined by awareness. Finding solace in simple and worn beauty is really about presence and being. If you cannot go beyond the rough edges of a thing you cannot see the beauty that was originally there in that defining moment. If you cannot drown out the noise, then you do not really hear. Sometimes the beauty comes in fleeting moments, but if we are not there with tendrils reaching out, how do we grasp the ephemeral essence in that instant?
And the beauty in the aging process. The character that is added. Something that is beautifully made, just gets more beautiful with age.
I completely agree. I think this is why I am always smitten with old and worn things.
I learned a wonderful lesson years ago. I was in a small Japanese department store in San Jose. At the checkout counter the young Japanese woman waiting on me complimented my handbag. It was a small shoulder bag I had made — sashiko embroidery on indigo cotton. Since it was very worn I thanked her but apologized for its condition. She replied, “Oh no, don’t apologize. It is more precious because it has been well loved.”
I still have the bag. I no longer use it but I still love it.
What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing this. This also reminds me of “wabi-sabi”. I hope you keep this bag as long as you live.
inside out always intrigues me ….
Actually, the frayed silk of the lining was as lovely and remarkable as the outside that had little wear.
I like Leilani’s comment. The thought of throwing away some article of clothing that I have especially enjoyed is hard for me. The memories do come back and say “Wait. There is enough time in the future to re think this decision”. I, too, have saved items. I have a pair of shoes that I had when I was 22. They are lovely and special. How can I give these away? Unthinkable!
I like the slow color blending on the purse. It slowly comes into the mind and makes its own hue.
I agree about the importance of saving special things. I think we all live with some regret about giving some article of clothing or a hat or a bag or a pair of shoes away only to realize later that it was more than just a material object. Now whenever I have the slightest doubt, I give it some time before I make that ultimate decision to discard it.