In learning the many ways, The Creator of heaven and earth has provided, to serve as essentials for day-to-day supplies and task, we often dismiss and forget about the simplest items that we use to protect our bodies such as clothing. With machinery and factories to make each piece within 10 minutes or less to then end up on a shelf in a convenient store to choose from a plethora of options is a mind-blowing convenience that we often take for granted. Once upon a time ago, we only had our hands to work with to craft together fabrics and colors like polyesters, cotton, and silks that we love against our skin that took way more than just 10 minutes or less.
When we think about the many seeds we grow to eat, we never think about the cotton seed, insects, or natural resources that provide fabrics for clothing. For example, cotton is a world-wide resource used to not just absorb and clean, but to protect and provide warmth to our bodies. When we take showers and practice hygienic cleansing, one of the first things we grab is a shirt. A shirt, so simple but yet serves the purpose of covering our bodies not just physically but also spiritually.
What we wear is a representation of what is in our hearts, minds and spirits. How we carry ourselves is reflected in our outerwear. It may seem so simple and non-relevant, but we pick a shirt based on what we feel like wearing that night or day. The shirt shows how we view ourselves, our self-worth, value, and overall feelings inside. Color, fabric, length, coverage or lack thereof is all a representation of the person wearing it. Now of course, we have so many obligations in life that require more attention and thought-out consideration, however, in doing just those things such as work, school, or simply lounging around the house, outings with friends or family, to business meetings and many more, one of the first things we do involuntarily consider and worry about is indeed what we are going to wear. A shirt is the first thing people see when they scope out someone in a first impression and for women sometimes it may be a dress (aka long shirt of entire body). It may seem so small and subordinate but to our unconscious minds, it’s actually one of the most important things we do in life, especially when meeting new people, or even going on day-to-day task and responsibilities to doing nothing at all.
Journey to Self shares art in a form of not just nature photography and sketches but in the mind, body, and spirit through words, advice, and reminders to show an appreciation to the life and earth around us. To take into consideration the little things such as the sky, moon, sun, flowers, and seed, that provide the very essentials like soaps, lotions, and clothing that make up our daily lives. To many, a sketch of art or photo of the clouds may
seem like just another picture on the internet that is pretty or vanity of what we already see when we walk outside. But if you are able to dive deep into the origins and take the time out to really slow your mind down to appreciate the natural and ever-so-beautiful energy around us and for us to use, something as simple as what shirt we wear, what’s on it, and why, would matter tremendously.
Keep in mind that it’s not all about the literal look but rather the intent behind the look. The reasons and symbolism to why a piece of clothing was inherited, purchased, or made in the first place. We all have those clothing that we have for years on top of years and have become rather invaluable over time. But when we sit and reflect in the moment of perhaps cleaning or sorting through those clothing, once upon a time ago that was a new shirt that meant something when it was obtained. It was for a purpose. Big or small, it meant something to you or for someone you knew. If that were not so, it would not be hard for many of us to get rid of certain clothing or even when we purchase new clothing, it wouldn’t be such an articulate thought to have to decide to add or take away from our wardrobe we have to represent our minds and spirits regularly, especially when we try it on before claiming it as our own. The Art of Clothing is more than just colors, fabrics, and sizes, but is a presentation of our hearts and to the Creator behind it all it shows gratitude and appreciation for providing such protection to our vessels in which we were granted to have, hold, and take care of in life.
