THE MIRROR IS A POWERFUL TOOL BECAUSE IT FORCES YOU TO DEAL WITH YOURSELF ON A DEEPER LEVEL. CONCEPTUALLY, PAINTINGS ARE LIKE MIRRORS. THEY’RE AN EXPRESSION FROM THE ARTIST: ‘THIS IS HOW I VIEW THE WORLD – I’M PRESENTING IT TO YOU.’

MICKALENE THOMAS

Have you ever been to a theme park and engaged with the various warped mirrors? They curve, flip and manipulate your reflection giving you an inaccurate view of yourself and others in the reflection. It’s amusing partly because you can see the difference and you know the truth about the image and just how far from reality these mirrored images truly are. In our everyday life, the people in our lives are the ones that reflect to us who we are. Their comments, affirmations, criticisms, acceptances and rejections are particularly powerful. Unfortunately, as humans we don’t always find their reflections amusing because we are being questioned about our own makeup from other people’s views.

If we don’t know the truth about who we are we must start with the cross. We are created in the image and likeness of God who loves us unconditionally. We must choose our mirrors and those who we allow to influence us. We must do this carefully and with time and reflection. The mirror we may be taking our views from may well be warped, distorted and bent which ultimately leads to a distorted reflection of our true self. Our job is not fix those but simply choose wisely and always seek truth in our life.

As Vincentians we come across people every day who struggle with what they see in the mirror. We have a chance to reflect to them what we want them to aspire to be. We have the opportunity to accompany them on the journey to discovering a clearer reflection where they can see the light to getting their lives back on track. Whether it be through a food hamper, a gift card, assistance with a bill or simply companionship, the people we encounter in our good works will see something in us that hopefully they want to see in themselves. Who are you mirroring today?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Is there someone in your life that you feel you are a role model to?

Do you consciously try to be a better version of yourself around them?

From: Firewood for the soul, vol. 1, A Reflexion Book for the Whole Vincentian Family
St. Vincent de Paul Society, Queensland, Australia.
Text by: Samantha Hill.