Issue 15 Wellbeing
January/February 2007
AS THE NEW YEAR TURNS I realise with some horror that I have now been paying for membership to a gym for a year without taking full advantage of the facilities. As I vow to try harder I know there are thousands of others trying like me to find time for all the things they “should” do. Exercise, eat well, organise my time efficiently: therein lies the route to inner harmony...or does it? I suspect one could do all these things and remain firmly at odds with peace and tranquility. There is the temptation at this time of year to prioritise our bodies, so many New Year’s resolutions relate to diet: a more revealing question might be “what have you been feeding your soul lately?” Well-being is so much more than the physical. In this issue we visit Tibet where spirituality pervades all aspects of daily life. His Holiness the Dalai Lama once said “If you want others to be happy, practise compassion. If you want to be happy, practise compassion.” Doctors and nurses spend their working lives assisting others, utilising the latest advances, from sutures to heart valves, in medical textiles. Helping others is a short cut to feeling better, and if you’d like to find out more have a look at our listings for a diverse range of textile related charities. Just taking the time for reflection can be beneficial, as our photographer Fendor Van Der Valk found out in our photo story set in Bali. A burst of activity invigorates too, and sports that engage with nature can tick both boxes: we look at the evolution of ski wear, pg66 and fashion associated with equestrian pursuits. Horsehair proved a surprisingly fertile area of study and we examine its many applications, from the artworks of Marian Bijlenga, to violin bows, brushes and wigs. It’s easy to forget to take care of oneself so take time this year to relax and find that elusive work-life balance. We believe it’s better to spend time making one beautiful thing than to produce a dozen mediocre ones. In 2007 we will continue to put all our energies into Selvedge and hope it will be a highlight in an otherwise hectic life. Happy New Year!
Polly Leonard, Founder
Polly Leonard, FounderTallenna