Over the past two weeks, I've had the chance to look at myself in those bendy carnival mirrors several times. I have a few thoughts on these mirrors and on mirrors in general. The most obvious: those carnival mirrors distort the truth. In one, I'm Gumby-taffy long, in the other I'm short and squat like Fred Flinstone. They're funny because our image is so obviously distorted. But then again, don't all mirrors distort the truth. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face." (1 Corinth 13:12) And even without the help of a mirror, we often distort the truth all on our own.
Think of the time we would save and the worry we could avoid if there were no reflective surfaces?! That said, I have at least 15 mirrors in our house, five of them full-body length (those five came with the house).
Narcissus wasted away admiring his beauty in the pond, losing his chance at love with Echo, forever.
"I have a great body and sometimes go months without looking at it in a mirror" approximate quote, Phil, Groundhog Day
In Snow White, the evil Queen's death by food poisoning all started with an unhealthy obsession with her magic mirror.
Mirrors are a great place to write your "to do" list and love notes to your kids and husband (dry erase marker); the writing obscures the image and puts into focus what matters most.
“Look in a mirror and one thing's sure; what we see is not who we are.” Richard Bach
Oh, you've been doing some serious reflecting on reflections, very nicely written Apis.
ReplyDeleteMirror reflections are always distorted, when you look in a mirror your right and left are reversed as you view yourself. We focus on and see what we want to see. I always feel like a photo is more truthful if you are just wanting to see an image of yourself.
I've noticed, when shopping, that the dressing room mirrors always make you look taller and thinner, another distorted image and purposely done so that you'll buy more stuff.
The image I'm striving to reflect is a Christ like image, I have a very long ways to go.
Look at Bea's legs - they look like tiny string beans . . . that's the mirror I want! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm always amused (and I include myself in this, although not in the categories I'm going to mention) when I see people in public wearing things that are just too revealing or tight. I think they either didn't look in the mirror, or did and thought they looked GREAT with that waist bulging out the top (or whatever it may be). Mirrors definitely do not tell the truth, a picture is so much better!!
ReplyDeleteThis exact thing was on my mind a few weeks ago when I happened upon a "skinny mirror" in a restroom at a park. Oh and I love the quote from Groundhog Day, if only we could all truly feel that way about ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI love my full length mirror that I have in my room, not only is it a great design piece but I think seeing you're whole body at one time is really the only way to know if you look presentable.
ReplyDeleteThose were some deep thoughts, Apis.
ReplyDeleteJenn, I totally hear you. I see some plump women walking around in tight clothing, and I wonder, "Do you have ANY idea how terrible you look? Those clothes are NOT flattering!"
But, for myself, I'm enjoying my mirror experience these days. I walk past one, and I think, "Man, I'm lookin' good!"