In one of his most beautiful photos of two imposing skyscrapers appearing as mammoth scalable mountains, though perhaps not evolving naturally, Andrea Chincarini wrote these words:
"I,I,I!"
shouts the ego
"I,I,I!"
echoes the self.
Here is my response:
The ego seems necessary for existence. Without it how would we appear, be made known in the world? Our flesh and bone alone will not do. What seems vitally important is knowing that the ego, I, is not all there is, that others too exist.
From time to time, more often than not, deference to the other is necessary, for our growth and theirs. There is no building larger than self. Humility (which is not void of confidence or excellence) is a most beautiful trait to cultivate.
5 comments:
Oh! I am really flattered Judith!
I may not thank you enough for the favor you bestow to my amateur work.
Let me add something to the answer I wrote on my blog:
the skyscrapers, towering and ominous, are here the symbols of our ego, a human construction (or maybe the result of evolution...). In the picture, these are prominent with respect to the sky, far away.
Still, as you intelligently noticed, the simple photo of the sky wouldn't have had any meaning, so beauty is found through careful balance. As you say : "ego, I, is not all there is".
As for humility, I believe it is found in the art of acceptance, and where our "I" is but a part.
-a-c-, I only write what I see so there is no flattery here, but appreciation for the beauty and thought of your work. Thank you.
Regarding our creations, as BEING in the likeness of God, all that we do should evolve from this place, grandness and humility included. The grandiose is not inherently bad; it is but only a part. I see the awesomeness of skycrappers as an attempt towards likeness.
The balance of the ego that you spoke of is for me deference and appreciation to both excellence and effort. It is the acknowledgement of another's personage and work. It is the acknowledgment that I do not exist alone.
Although I have come here alone and will leave alone, it is the journey with others that makes the difference. It is in deference and keen awareness of the other where I am lessened, yet beautifully strengthened-immeasurably.
Is the skyscraper more "towering or ominous" than Mt. Everest or Mt. Kiliminjaro, especially on a not so clear day?
Dear Judith.. you have such a way with words. I am mesmerized by your eloquence and inspired by your writings.
I'm sure you need all your qualities to be successful in your business.
P.S. I'd go for "more ominous than a mountain"... I never saw mt everest with my eyes but I am fairly used to rather high mountains. They have never stricken me as ominous. ;-)
Once when traveling through Pikes Peak on a very narrow road on a hazy day, that dreadful ominous feeling of impeding danger or death was quite present. The mountains were glorious and ominous simultaneously.
Believe me there was not a more awesome yet ominous feeling that the sharp cliffs imposed both in a distance and up close. It was quite a drive. We survived, even getting out along a ledge to take pictures. Looking back now the poses we made on the mountain were foolish indeed.
Thank you, -a-c-, for your words of encouragement. They are much appreciated.
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