Today is my blog’s 20th birthday. I started it after reading the Scientific Warning of 1992. It begins like this:
Human beings and the natural world are on a collision course. Human activities inflict harsh and often irreversible damage on the environment and on critical resources. If not checked, many of our current practices put at serious risk the future that we wish for human society and the plant and animal kingdoms, and may so alter the living world that it will be unable to sustain life in the manner that we know.
After reading it, I felt nauseated and very concerned about my children’s future. It was this concern that gave rise to “Art for Housewives”. The intention was to encourage the use of household trash to make beautiful and practical objects thus the blog’s motto “Make Art, Not Trash”. Initially, the response to the blog was very positive. However, after a few years, the platform I was using bit the dust and from one day to the next my blog was left homeless. My son suggested I try WordPress so I did. Nevertheless, the abrupt loss had changed the blog’s dynamics.
In terms of ecology, has anything changed in these past 20 years? Yes, we are worse off than before. The irresponsible attitude of the western world simultaneously frightens and disgusts me. But to keep from feeling overwhelmed, I search for equilibrium. And hope.
In a few months I will be 70 years old. Life expectancy for women living in Italy is 84. Which means, based on this average, if all goes well, I can count on maybe another 10 productive years. And I intend to make these years the best years of my life.
The Greek slave Epictetus had his owner’s permission to study and, once a free man, Epictetus left for Rome where he taught philosophy. One of his students was Marcus Aurelius. In “Meditations”, Marcus praises his teacher who had taught him that: If you want to be beautiful, you must make beautiful choices.
Beauty is not an object. It’s a perception waiting for a beholder. And here I am, waiting to behold.
Aging is an unpleasant but mandatory experience if you want to stay alive. Moms can help give much useful advice. But with their demise, we lose our most important ally and some of us are left to wander alone. Books can never take a mom’s place but they can be practical guides.
In the moment that Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius, began feeling that age was becoming his most loyal companion, he began writing to himself. In Book One of his “Meditations”, Marcus thanks those who had had a positive influence on his life. He expresses this gratitude to remind himself that no one is entirely self-sufficient, that we are all part of the Whole. The Whole is that unity which makes our existence possible. It is the interconnection of all things. And gratitude is a kind of glue that helps keep us connected.
“Meditations” is, for the most part, an anthology of the lessons Marcus Aurelius had learned in his life. It was written not for others but for himself. A personal patrimony to keep him on the right track.
If I were to copy Marcus’ example, what would I write to myself? What lessons has life taught me that would be useful at this time?
If I were to write a book, it would be called “Daily Aesthetics” and would focus on searching for beauty in everyday life. Because perceiving beauty is a form of consciousness and consciousness transforms us. Because aesthetics are ideals that give us a direction. Because beauty is a form of hope because it reminds us that not everything in the world is ugly.
But instead of writing a book, I will continue writing posts for this blog. Because, after 20 years, it has become a part of me.
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The Narrative Within 