is for identity and incognito
Dear Identity and Incognito –
What an interesting pair of “I” words – and it certainly doesn’t pass my notice that you are indeed words connected to my sense of self – my “I”-ness. I love you both for all the dances we’ve done together in this lifetime. And while now as I’ve aged and gotten ever so much more comfortable in my skin being me, my mission is to be as transparent as possible and shine my soul signature so clearly that there is no possible mistaking my Identity. I like being crystal clear about who I am. But I also remember how important you’ve been to me Incognito – helping me stay a little bit hidden, helping me feel a sense of safety navigating in times where I wasn’t really sure my identity was welcome. And I love you for that. And for now being able to relegate you into the area of playfulness – a masquerade mask, or a secret benefactor. What fun you’ve become! I thank you both for the gifts you’ve given me in discovering the known and the unknown, the seen and the unseen. I love you!
Deborah
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My mind can’t help but make the association here with “I” and eye – the things we see about who we are. It’s all related in the most wonderfully entertaining, often circuitous ways, isn’t it?
And it delights me that two identity-related things came to my attention this weekend:
- A gathering of Phil Campbells (and the mission they’re up to now).
- Francios Brunelle’s work Meet your Doppelganger
And if we’re doing incognito, we probably should have masks.
- Joel Cooper’s amazing origami masks
- I have a great love for Bread and Puppets
And just as a final delicious delight, whenever I think of beautiful adornment I always always always think of the Omo people as photographed by Hans Silvester
Your turn. What’s your eye seeing right now? Dancing more with identity or playing in the realm of incognito? Are you a costume wearer? Have a secret name? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Deborah, I can relate to how you’ve become more comfortable with your identity as you have aged. Perhaps it is one of the benefits of getting older.
The links for the masks and dopplengangers were pretty amazing!
Truthfully Sue I think there are a whole lot of blessings that come with age, and it’s kind of remarkable we don’t celebrate them more widely. But comfort with who one is has got to be one of the greatest. And so celebrate I do.
Doppleganger! Amazing set of photos – what an effort. I like that he also included a amle and female together. Someone once told me there is a woman in Portland who looks just like me. Be fun to meet her one day.
Your comment about “comfort with who one is has got to be one of the greatest blessings” is so true Deborah. To have that comfort is everything, no? Some days I do and somedays I don’t. For me it’s ongoing.
The photos are truly amazing aren’t they? And you SO have to go meet your doppelganger – how fun!