Today I was teaching a class and the light coming through the window caught my eye so I pulled out my cell phone and began exploring the classroom. In just a few minutes I noticed how the light was sparkling off of a couple of trophies that are on display. It got me thinking about how trophies are aspirational visions of ourselves as successful heroes of our personal journey. They represent hard work and perseverance. The Greeks gave us mythology and the Olympics.
A quick search for a history of the word trophy will bring you to articles about how they were based upon spoils of war. Most notably the articles suggest that the origin of the original trophies were heads brought back from the battlefield.
Sports have become the gentler form of battle. Games like football, rugby, and hockey are the modern version of gladiator games with stadiums as grand as the original coliseum. The human figure sits atop a trophy bestowed to the winner.
When I was cleaning out my house a few years ago I had thrown a few boxing trophies in the trash can. My son became upset and insisted I keep a couple around. I’m glad he did. I put them on display in the gym at the back of the barn and they help inspire me to put in a little extra effort when I do get around to working out.
I have chosen to crop out the base of the trophies so I could focus on the individual figure. These images are not about the spoils of war or sport, but rather the aspirations of human spirit. The two figures represent both the human and the divine.
The combination could also represent the spirit and the corporeal. The expression mind, body, and soul comes to mind as I look at these images. They seem fitting images for today and the times I am living through at the moment. I hope you find them inspiring too! We’ve almost made it to Friday! I think we deserve a trophy at the end of the work week! Don’t you?
Kindest Regards,
Ira
