12 Comments

I love how you started with a piece of glass art from the Fort Wayne Art museum. We are indeed part of a greater whole. It made me feel that it was ok to have wounded parts because the greater whole will make up for the parts in me where I struggle. We are moving together. I loved this insight. Thanks Jeannie.

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"We are moving together." What a beautiful line, friend! ❤️

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"But walk away from me and I disappear." This line really struck a chord with me. It speaks to the ephemeral nature of identity and how our perception of self can shift depending on our surroundings and relationships. It's a beautiful reminder that we are constantly evolving and that our "self" is not a fixed entity but rather a fluid and dynamic process.

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I was also thinking more about this, and I'd love your thoughts about the psychological construct of personality versus identity, Alex. I remember learning as an undergraduate about "trait versus state," trait being a more enduring and fixed part of one's self than state, a transitory or fleeting behavior or thought, perhaps. What do you think about that as it pertains to a fluid and evolving self?

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I love that question. And i’m still thinking about it. I could give you the “academic” answer, but my personal thinking has evolved quite a bit since I learned about it…. stay tuned haha

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Yes! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

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Oh, what a great addition you provide here, @Alexander Lovell, PhD ! “The ephemeral nature of identity…and that our ‘self’ is not a fixed entity but rather a fluid and dynamic process.” It’s that process of becoming, I think, at least to me. The movement, the ebb and flow. That’s how it feels to be human for me—evolution and revolution, I guess. You’ve given me more to think about now!

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Beautiful poem, Jeannie, on such a wonderful piece of art. I love your entire poem, but these lines stood out for me:

Slices of me

Tell my story

Of change and growth.

We each have "slices" of ourselves that tell our story, but we are whole people, and each slice only tells part of our story. Wonderful interpretation of the artwork.

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Yes! I love that you found that segment insightful.

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Those lines resonated with me the most also.

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It’s a joy to read your art-inspired poetry, even the ones that leave me feeling a little uneasy or sad. These feelings are all part of our entire selves. I wonder if any contributors will give us some poetry-inspired three dimensional artwork?

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That would be lovely if I got a contributor to do that, Rafael!

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