SYMBOLS

is it perhaps in all of our natures to create symbols for things?

for the things we love, for the things we care about, the things we worry about, the things we miss.

we sometimes do it even without realizing it

what is it about creating a symbol for these things, reducing it to a size that fits in the palm of your hand, that can dangle from a chain around your neck, that puts it  in your control, that enables you to effectively protect and treasure it

we can create objects that help us focus our attention, that can become part of our daily rituals, our personal superstitions 

we can create objects that help us internalize and then let go, by saying this is forever part of me but it no longer causes me sadness or worry

and we can create objects that we leave behind