Aiesha's Work
Aiesha's Reflection
My archive project was based on my Art History project, which started as just an assignment, however, it became so much more. The art piece I chose was The Heavenly Ladder, also called The Ladder of Divine Ascent. This piece created by John Climacus was based on Jacob's dream in the Book of Genesis, where he dreamed of people ascending from Earth to Heaven. Climacus’ picture showed monks on a ladder waiting to be accepted to Heaven on a 30-rung ladder with each step representing “spiritual development.” Also pictured were demons roping the Monks who had not completed their spiritual development and who would be taken to Hell.
The more research I placed into the assignment, the more it became personal. The research itself revealed that the Byzantine era ended due to internal political instability. There was an economic decline, and the military had been weakened, which so many perceived as the end of time. This decline reminded me of a time in my own life where the end just wouldn’t appear fast enough. Until one day, I had reached my breaking point.
I don’t think of Heaven or Hell as a physical place but more so as a mindset. Based on human experiences, we all come to an “end” on our journey through life. Up until that point, are we in alignment on our spiritual path? Your journey is yours; nobody knows where that is but you. Fighting all vices and having to choose what is in alignment with one’s path is unworldly and it can be overwhelming. However, being aligned with your journey is something you will never find written down. No one will be there as a guide, you only have you to depend on which means you have to just go within and find the answer.
Being out of alignment for me was making impulsive decisions, like getting my Real Estate license, instead of going back to school. I was supposed to move to Texas; however, I chose to transplant to Champaign without any reasoning aside from the fact that it felt right in my spirit. I thought that this might not have been the correct move once I got here. While scrolling on Facebook, the Odyssey Project happened to appear on my timeline. After passing it up about three times and doing some research, I was intrigued by this opportunity because I would get the benefit of school without the cost.
The uncertainty and discomfort of being in the class space was pivotal to my personal growth and strength. Being here has strengthened my commitment to showing up, and I no longer make excuses for why I cannot do things. Odyssey has shown me that it is okay to trust and listen to what I have to say.
Aiesha's Project
