John's Design Brief: The Lightness of Being
2025

John’s Design Brief: The Lightness of Being

The Lightness of Being

In the world of shimmering jewels and intricate craftsmanship, there exists a ring known as Lightness—a creation not merely of aesthetic brilliance, but of profound symbolism. This ring, a marvel of modern ingenuity, is crafted from a single, unbroken piece of laboratory-grown diamond. It serves as a metaphorical lens, refracting not just light, but the complexities of human honesty and the pursuit of authenticity.

Lightness tells the story of a man who embarked on a journey of self-discovery, a journey that ultimately led him to redefine his understanding of love and identity. Having entered a marriage with a woman, he came to realize an inherent truth about himself—his heart yearned for a union with a man. This revelation was not just a personal transformation but a testament to the human capacity for honesty and the courage it takes to embrace one’s true self.

 

At first glance, Lightness dazzles with its pristine beauty, yet its true value lies in the narrative it embodies—a narrative that challenges our conventional understanding of perfection. As we explore the essence of this remarkable ring, we find that its reflection is rooted in honesty, standing in stark opposition to the elusive notion of perfection. Perfection, it seems, is a realm reserved for the divine, an unattainable ideal that humans can only approach through an honest acceptance of reality.

The creation of Lightness in a laboratory is no accident. Just as man shapes diamonds in controlled environments, so too is honesty a construct of human endeavor. Our fallen nature renders us unpredictable in our expression of truth, often leaving us grappling with the substantial reasons that compel us to embrace or evade it. The laboratory diamond, therefore, becomes an apt metaphor for the human condition—crafted by man, defined by the struggle for authenticity.

 

The diamond, with its unrivaled hardness, symbolizes the formidable challenge of living authentically. It is a reminder that the hardest task in life is often to be true to oneself. Yet, it is also transparent—a beacon of clarity and openness. As light enters this transparent gem, it is transformed, refracted into a spectrum of colors, each hue representing the myriad facets of human experience and introspection.

The journey from a marriage grounded in love but lacking authenticity to one rooted in truth is akin to the light passing through the diamond. It enters as a singular beam but emerges as a kaleidoscope of prismatic beauty. This transformation speaks to the essence of human honesty, a construct not bound by the natural order but forged from within, much like the man-made diamond.

 

Designed to adorn a man’s fourth finger, Lightness is a testament to both elegance and strength. Its facets are meticulously crafted to not only transmit light but to embody the journey of finding honesty in one’s life. It is a symbol of a marriage that defies convention, one that is not merely natural but profoundly authentic.

In the end, Lightness is more than a ring; it is a reflection of the human spirit’s quest for truth and the beauty found in embracing one’s authentic self. It teaches us that while the natural path may not always align with the honest one, true lightness is achieved when we allow our inner truth to refract outward, illuminating the world around us.

<<BACK

Back to Letters from Wendell