BINDINGS
Over the years, I have considered those things to which I was, or am, bound.
Work. Family. Church. Community.
I have gradually come to see that there is a fine line, a finely calibrated balance,
between that to which I voluntarily, consciously and willingly am bound and that which binds me
through ignorance, enculturation or choice.
Some bindings are covenental, such as marriage or parenthood.
Some are finite, such as a short-term work contract.
Some bindings are serendipitious,
such as the soul friends or books that enter into our lives,
even for a short time.
All bindings should be centred on LOVE.
I constructed these dolls from unwanted, discarded doll forms (thrown in disgust in a heap on the floor!), cardboard rolls,
a length of recyled fabric and a handful of ribbons and braids
... anything that could wrap and tie.
Work. Family. Church. Community.
I have gradually come to see that there is a fine line, a finely calibrated balance,
between that to which I voluntarily, consciously and willingly am bound and that which binds me
through ignorance, enculturation or choice.
Some bindings are covenental, such as marriage or parenthood.
Some are finite, such as a short-term work contract.
Some bindings are serendipitious,
such as the soul friends or books that enter into our lives,
even for a short time.
All bindings should be centred on LOVE.
I constructed these dolls from unwanted, discarded doll forms (thrown in disgust in a heap on the floor!), cardboard rolls,
a length of recyled fabric and a handful of ribbons and braids
... anything that could wrap and tie.
We all have things that bind us.
Sometimes the bindings are strong, even impenetrable.
Sometimes they are deceptively mild:
the bindings look weak but they are tenacious;
the bindings are weak but we treat them as unbreakable;
the bindings reflect our will.
Sometimes bindings are residual; left over from life's experiences.
Sometimes they are unrecognisable or unrecognised.
Sometimes they are disguised.
Sometimes they are habitual.
Sometimes bindings are life-threatening.
Sometimes they are soul-threatening.
Sometimes they are invisible, except to the enlightened heart.
Sometimes when we are free
or think we are free
we are still constrained.
What is binding?
Consider: dogma
doctrine
laws of the land
familial traditions
natural law
moral law
enculturation
institutionalism
bureaucracy
expectations
individualism
ambition
depression
guilt
grief
Are bindings ... beneficial?
liberating?
constraining?
oppressive?
empowering?
enabling?
reflecting LOVE?
Do bindings offer ... boundaries for good or for control?
possibilities for love or for greed?
safety for all or for some?
limitations for the anawim or for the powerful?
comfort for the rich or for the disposessed?
Sometimes the bindings are strong, even impenetrable.
Sometimes they are deceptively mild:
the bindings look weak but they are tenacious;
the bindings are weak but we treat them as unbreakable;
the bindings reflect our will.
Sometimes bindings are residual; left over from life's experiences.
Sometimes they are unrecognisable or unrecognised.
Sometimes they are disguised.
Sometimes they are habitual.
Sometimes bindings are life-threatening.
Sometimes they are soul-threatening.
Sometimes they are invisible, except to the enlightened heart.
Sometimes when we are free
or think we are free
we are still constrained.
What is binding?
Consider: dogma
doctrine
laws of the land
familial traditions
natural law
moral law
enculturation
institutionalism
bureaucracy
expectations
individualism
ambition
depression
guilt
grief
Are bindings ... beneficial?
liberating?
constraining?
oppressive?
empowering?
enabling?
reflecting LOVE?
Do bindings offer ... boundaries for good or for control?
possibilities for love or for greed?
safety for all or for some?
limitations for the anawim or for the powerful?
comfort for the rich or for the disposessed?
