I started working through this book/journal called 'The Identity Project' by Patrick Dodson. It is intended to assist in the discovery and remembrance of identity. He frequently writes about how important community is in the development of identity. Thus, optimally a project like this would be done alongside other. We need our friends/family to facilitate and affirm who we are. In many cases, we just need to be reminded of who we are by people that know us. This has become particularly evident to me since I moved to Los Angeles. Moving to a new place creates an identity crisis of sorts. I didn't realize that the people who know me somehow hold my identity in place. Just by being known, my unique personhood is subconsciously affirmed. We play a powerful role in the lives of those we know. We are the keepers of their identity. Our knowing speaks life over their being. This loss of being known by moving sparked in me several desires, first, knowing myself, and second, affirming the things I know of other. Since I live far from the people I know and love the most, I decided to create a series of cards that highlight certain qualities of particular people and send them by mail. Some of my favorite people in the world are my sisters, so I started with them.
For Jess...
Traveler, Kind-hearted, Fun, Wanderer, Hard worker, Thinker, Competitive, Free, Performer, Kind, Flexible, Rhythm, Cyclist, Loving, Minimalist, Wordsmith, Social Justice, Physical, Creative, Generous, Servant, Sister, Compassionate, Strong, International, Dancer, Funny, Merciful, Adventurer, Clever, Without Borders
Jess has a beautiful soul.
