When Women Put on Their Shoes

For thousands of years, we have depicted gods in our own idealized image ... and then we have tried to imitate these gods.

It is a humorous cycle. An impossible cycle. But one that I can smile at ... and partake in sometimes.

My favorite ancient relief statue is called, "Nike Adjusting her Sandal" and comes from the Temple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis in Athens. Whenever I have the chance to visit her, I feel like I am visiting a mentor, or rather, my timeless muse. 

She is beautiful, lithe, seductive and wise. Engaged in the common, tedious task  of adjusting her sandal she tempts us with the wet T-shirt effect. Yet, she also reminds me of the precious peak hour in the morning when thousands, no millions, of women at home are hurrying to put on their shoes to get ready and step out into the world.

There is hidden beauty in even this moment of the day.

Also remember that Athena and so many other gods were created from what we love most about ourselves ... what it means to be seductively human. 

(Thanks to Elise Jacob, for taking the photo below. See also my Video Clip, Athena and the Greek Seas.)