Soul Magic

Beautiful things
By Rosvita

I was raised in Vienna, the city of music, the city of impressive architecture, and a culture suffused with art. Although the modern painters, poets, and musicians have found fertile ground in the city for their creative beings, they value the old. They continue to be inspired by the lasting beauty of the classical, meaning something that lasts the ravages of time.

For example, there stands a church on a small hill looking down towards the Danube Canal, which once had a river flowing through it. The church was built in 1100 and is still inspiring prayers and positive thoughts for the grateful locals, as well as tourists from all over the world, some of whom are totally unfamiliar with the old. In another old building, handwritten books and letters are preserved with modern chemistry and science.

At the modern academy awards ceremonies the dresses are an important part of the celebration. Some actresses are announced to be wearing a 'vintage dress'. I don't know just how old these garments can be, but I do know of 'costumes' that have been preserved which were once worn by kings in the Monarchies of Europe, and visitors are thrilled to see them. Someone had the foresight to keep the well worn dresses.

Often well meaning advice given in magazines recommends throwing away what we have not used in a while. For a year, some say. I personally need to be surrounded by my things. Some of them are totally dysfunctional, maybe called clutter. But to me, they represent inspiration.

I have been in homes where every table is cleared of things. Maybe there’s a lamp strategically placed, or journals arranged methodically. Pictures on the wall are placed in an order someone suggested is 'right'. The desk shows only a neat inbox and outbox. Everything else is hidden in the drawer.

Psychologists have even surmised that a clean desk may not belong to a person of a creative mind. A friend of mine periodically turns her 'piles' of papers over to discover some truly amazing scrap of writing she meant to save, and did.

Yes, I have given away stuff to the Good Will, to needy friends, etc., but I also have a few trunks that house old clothes with the possibility that a great grandchild will be delighted to see or even wear them. I have seen fashion make turnarounds, and then I am happy to find an item in my closet that fits the bill. Some folks will exclaim, wow!!! Why get new stuff if I love the old?

What is clutter to one person may be treasure to the other.

They say that's why we have rummage sales -- so someone else will delight in our things. I know people, who scour flea markets and antique shops for old things. They may find a really good old piece, yet in my experience, those aren't even close to 'true' antiques, maybe not even more than twenty years old.

Society in general is finally coming to realize we must recycle. Why not attempt to learn to keep using the old stuff we have rather than buy into the fads of the new?

— © Respectfully written by Rosvita

rosvita@acegroup.cc