Time to reflect.

A sweet place to visit and reflect.

Reflections have a way of making you take a better look at yourself.  The surface, what others see, is the sugary coating we put on to fit into the community; into the society we tend to immerse ourselves in.  When we have a closer look at what stares back at us in the mirror we begin to see what lies beneath that superficial shroud.  Sometimes it is not too pretty.

The metaphoric image above symbolizes this idea perfectly.  Initially, the reflection is a little darker than what we would like to see.  Go beyond that though, to what actually lies underneath, and the murky depths rise up.  The history of who we are, the legacy of past events which pollute our very souls and causes us to cringe, becomes crystal clear.

Who we are can be best portrayed by examining the choices we make in times of upheaval.  When the waves of trouble strike, how do we react?  Are we steadfast or do we bob about searching madly for any form of emancipation from the crisis before us.  When the waters are turbulent and whitecaps thrash the surface reflection may be impossible and turbidity clouds the deep.  This is the time it is most important though.

The covid crisis is much like a storm which has caused many to lose sight of who they are and what is important.  Instead of caring about community and family they become entirely egocentric and forget about their responsibility to the rest of us.  Blown about by the wind their behaviours denote a lack of compassion, commitment, and common sense.  If they could just stop for a minute and clear the waters to reflect upon the actions they take, or don't take, perhaps they would see who they truly are.

Having a thought and acting on it are two entirely different things.  Perhaps it is in times of crisis that we need to reflect upon ourselves the most.  Think about past actions and how others have perceived them.  Consider choices you are about to make with an external lens - how does it benefit your neighbours and community?  Recognise that you are not alone in the tempest and your actions will affect others, not to mention your future self.  Be kind, thoughtful, helpful, and encouraging in the storm and we will all weather it together.

Thanks for reading.   www.ericspix.com   Eric Svendsen