(Solitary) Pilgrimage

 

pil·grim·age (pĭl'grə-mĭj) n.
A long journey or search, especially one of exalted purpose or moral significance.

There are many reasons one decides to embark on a pilgrimage. It is very popular because it enables people to link their natural desire for travel with deeply rooted spiritual goals.

And so I marched forward half a decade ago on a (solitary) pilgrimage to the most spiritual and enlightning place on earth - New York City (ofcourse).

I figured that going to a place where the famous landmark of The Statue of Liberty, the tall lady that carries such a powerful symbolism behind it, commemorating the Declaration of Independence and the friendship between two countries, was right up my alley in terms of personal discovery. That, and also 5th Avenue was always just around the corner (ofcourse).

So what was my exalted purpose?

To be put simply, looking back, I think I just needed to find myself. Mind you, in 21st century North America, women don't suffer because we are opressed and don't have opportunities and options. In my opinion, I think we sometimes have too many options and opportunities to choose from, and without proper guidance and personal education in our youth as our parents are busy working and keeping up with the Jonses, we suffer because we reach a point where we don't know what it is we want, and therefore, we lose our sense of identity and are stuck in profound confusion and unsatisfaction. I'd also like to label it spoiled immaturity.

So, a tall young lady myself, I went over for a chat with the famous tall lady of NYC. And what did I leave there with? (besides an amazing new wardrobe!) I left with a paradoxial sense of personal security in not finding a specific answer. I realized I will never "find myself" as 'I' am not a destination. As everyone else, I'm an unique and dynamic being, and this process of the unfolding of self through time, is simply...a journey. A process very similar to everything else that 'is'. And through learning that lesson, and through accepting the significance of insignificance, I found peace.

Abstract-ism. It is what it is.

Abstract art could be described as art which is not a realistic representation of something concrete.

"Mine is a bitter confession, more painful than it may appear, but it has the merit of being sincere."
-Pablo Picasso 1952-

In the realm of everything, it really is something ordinary. For me though its just...extraordinary. In the context of it all, it really is nothing. That for me, is...everything. I've never been a fan of Picasso! However, just like a Picasso work of art, where the head has an arm, and a leg has a nose, and the final picture is so controversial because it makes no sense and has no reason..."beauty is in the eye of the beholder" so they say...

Similarly, in the eye of the heart, love is nothing but an optical illusion. It is your everything. And it feels extraordinary. As it knows no reason.