The scarf and a wish list
I always feel apprehensive about taking pictures for my autoethnography where everything that I live with is displayed at once. Some time ago, a reviewer of one of my autoethnographic articles asked me why I don't include pictures in the article itself (instead, I link this autoethnography). One picture doesn't say much about how I live, what my practice looks and feels like, and how I relate with objects in my everyday life. When I take a pictures for this autoethnography, many items look new. But they are not. Every item has a story, and most of the items have so-called imperfections. Small holes, fading of colour, small stains. Or, they are heavily used.
The scarf in the picture above is the only scarf I live with. It's 3 or so years old. It's lived with me in Sweden, Finland and Denmark. I use it as a blanket, a scarf, and even a hood. It makes me feel warm and safe, especially when I travel. When I moved to my new apartment in Finland, I even slept on this scarf (it was placed on top of my yoga mat). The scarf is made entirely from wool. To make it last, I air it out. I have hand washed it perhaps twice. The fabric thinned out over time, but the scarf still serves me well. It lost its shape somewhat though!
Recently, I've been thinking about retailers and a wish list functions in online stores. When I was growing up, a wish list was something one would have for a holiday rather than constantly. I don't have a wish list. Having said that, I have a wish list of a different kind. I wish for:
Finding joy in the present moment
Kindness
Care
Love
Wisdom
Peace
Continued inspiration
Gentleness
Empathy
Compassion
Oneness
And so many other things!