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Play, download and edit the free video SONNET 29.

Think back to a time when you wished to achieve something you have now...how does it feel?

I love this sonnet because it questions one’s own rationale and highlights our tendency to become so fantastically ignorant to our natural gifts and unique existence when we compare ourselves and our lives to others. Our senses give us the greatest pleasure. Hearing, vision, smell, taste, touch, feeling, ability to move…take just one away and life turns upside down. Why don’t we appreciate our natural gifts the same way? Our complex distinctive ways of being, learning, creating, playing, expressing…individual passions and talents…So much to be grateful for.

We learn to abandon ourselves for various forms of validation because we live in a society that encourages us to seek our state of contentment from relationships, grades, degrees, money, property, fame and so on. But not so much from dedicating time to self love, reflection and the process of self discovery which would lead us to appreciation of the gifts in our possession and recognising their value. And then, perhaps, we would not want to hide our singular selves in this vast world so much. If we don’t see the value in ourselves, we don’t see the value in what we have to offer. This sonnet was written 400 odd years ago but the business of comparison has by no means vanished. And I suspect it won’t. But this reminder, as well as many others, has endured just as well. May we keep stumbling upon them.

Personal growth, overcoming a fear, achieving a goal, healing from trauma...if you thought of something you once wished for, and have now, looking back, I hope you’ll acknowledge the effort which was supported only by your own natural gifts, abilities and uniqueness. Call it god, grace, a change or mere physics, the essence of love or the mystery of the divine...an energy flows within you and you are loved.

Footage shot by Armin Mitt in 2012.
Music is an improv titled ‘An Afternoon’ which I set to the sonnet, by W. Shakespeare.
Thanks to Rauno Avel for helping with the sound.

Ⓒ Maretha Ilves

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