ThoughtPlatter
Finding Joy In Generosity
The 2021 holiday season found us at ThoughtMatter reflecting on the nature of generosity. Gifting something material is of course a generous act, but so is lending a hand or lending an ear. If we can brighten another’s day with our own good humor, then perhaps sharing in laughter or celebrating a joyous occasion together are displays of generosity too.
As the year drew to a close, we looked on with cautious optimism as local and national authorities slowly but steadily rolled back the restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The chance to safely celebrate with a large group of family and friends seemed a distinct possibility.
ThoughtMatter wanted to show our sincere appreciation for all that our clients, collaborators and partners do, and an elegant serving platter was an apt gift for the moment. We partnered with ceramicist Kala Stein to create several dozen hand-crafted ThoughtPlatters, each unlike the others.
The ThoughtPlatter has a practical purpose as means of entertaining guests—and facilitating a host’s generosity—but we also sought to imbue the dish with symbolic meaning. Each platter, with its uneven edges and adornment with jagged shards, has a fractured, unconventional appearance. Perhaps the shards reflect the pieces of ourselves that we give to others when we perform generous acts. Maybe they are a celebration of imperfection and reminder of the impermanence of the physical. Or maybe they represent the stress we have all endured after a trying two years.
Whatever your interpretation, we hope the ThoughtPlatter signifies the generosity of the human spirit. Use it in good health and good humor.
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In the conventional sense, generosity begins with giving a damn.
ThoughtMatter
