Reflecting on Reflections...

Reflections.

In our mirrors, we see reflections of our images. In our interactions with others, we see reflections of our actions. In our memories, we see reflections of our experiences. We compile these reflections into reflections of ourselves and reflections of our world. We live our lives through (and base our decisions on) these reflections, but we rarely realize they are simply reflections: distorted images of reality. No matter how clear they seem (our faces in a brand new mirror, a friend thanking us for a favor), they remain intrinsically distorted. Approximations of reality.

Some reflections are more obviously distorted than others, and some make us look in line with how we think about ourselves while others present an image that we think couldn’t possibly represent ourselves. The problem lies here: if we don’t think the worst reflections are accurate representations, we ignore them; if we don’t think the better reflections are accurate representations, we ignore them. Fundamentally, our self-images are skewed towards a direction that does not accurately represent how we interact with others. It is easy to blame the “mirror” and say, “That’s not me. That’s not who I am. I normally would have…” but in reality, we will not act beyond what our true idea of “self” allows us. These unusual actions might not represent our ideal image of self, but they are a part of who we are.

Unless we use all of the resources we have at our disposal, we will never get an accurate representation of who we are. Every reflection of self that we witness shows us who we are through a different filter. It is the compilation of all of these reflections that allow us to create a benchmark showing us who/what we are. We can then measure this benchmark against our ideals and see how far we must go, what more we must do, in order to become the person we want ourselves to be.

If we have a positive self-image, we tend to ignore the worst reflections. We think we know what’s best, and we’re confident that we’re on the right track. When people reflect badly against us, we assume it is a problem they have and try to help them see it our way (the right way). We feel comfortable that we’re moving towards becoming our ideal selves, and we stop working hard to better ourselves because we’re almost there. In reality, we could have a long way to go.

If we have a negative self-image, we tend to ignore the best reflections, and no matter how hard we try, we never measure up to our ideals. We are constantly frustrated that no matter what we do, it isn’t good enough. We give up because we see such a large difference between our ideal selves and how we see ourselves. In reality, our journey could be almost over.

Reflections can be immensely beautiful, and reflections can be horrifically disfiguring. Both types offer valuable viewpoints on the reflected object. It is when we forget this that our take on reality becomes skewed: for better or for worse.

Politics as Usual (The hooly blisful martir for to seke, that him hath holpen whan that they were seeke...)

In this season, it is easy to get lost in a negative attitude towards politicians and take an extremely cynical view of them. After all, if every politician is a power-hungry lying cheat, it makes it easy for us to blame them for all of our problems and wait for some maverick-chosen one-golden boy to come "fix the system" and save us.

The reality is, while many people get involved in politics in search of prestige and power, there are many who get involved because they have a true passion to help their country/state/municipality and make it better. They enter office ready to change things, to effect action on their campaign promises, and they find themselves in committee after committee of people with the same calling. The problem is this: while many of them have true desires to help and make things better, they almost all have different ideas about exactly how this should be done. There simply isn't a way for everyone in the political arena to make things better in the exact manner they would like.

As a result, you find people compromising their principles in the minutia so that they can accomplish something in the bigger picture that aligns with their goals. As long as they are happy with what they get out of the deal, the end result justifies the means. After a while, they find themselves on a slippery slope, clinging to whatever they have left of their principles and struggling against becoming that person in politics whom they so abhorred (the one that drove them into the political arena to make a difference in the first place). As bigger and bigger compromises of principle are required in order to further their original agenda, they realize, "If I only had more power, then I could get this done..."

This is a very dangerous period in the development of politicians: if power becomes the conduit through which they hope to attain their goals, then any compromise of principle is justified if it moves them closer to this goal. If they have to vote for a proposal they detest in exchange for someone's support on a proposal they detest, they'll do it. If they have to abandon their duty to make difficult decisions for the betterment of the country because the electorate demands it, they'll do it. They become slaves to power, because it is all that remains for them. This is their life's work, their mission to save the world: failure is not an option.

Politicians do not need our cynicism. They need our understanding, our support. If there is someone in politics whom you think is principled and prudent, let them know. If they only hear our voices when they do things we don't like, how will they know we value their principles and judgment?

If you are cynical towards politicians or politics in general, perhaps it's not the system that's broken: perhaps it is the electorate. Perhaps if young politicians understood their constituency supported them, they would fight for their principles rather than compromise them. Perhaps it is up to the electorate to change the world rather than the "chosen one" for whom it seems to be waiting.

Perhaps this should start with you.

Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote...

It is dreary tonight: six-thirty and the lights over the parking lot are already on. The clouds in the overcast sky are slowly, steadily billowing in from the west, and the slight drizzle seems to be emboldened by the encroaching darkness. The wind is cool for a late October evening, a welcome preview of what's to come.

As I sit here, waiting, I can't help but to be struck by the beauty of it all. The clouds, the lights, the rain, the wind, the darkness: I have no control over any of these, and they're beautiful. The lights, as it grows darker, seem to be staking a claim on their territory. They seem to be saying, "I'll claim this much as my own and no more, and I will be content." Each morning they turn off, and each evening they turn on again, ready to claim exactly what they had the previous night. The rain, barely visible before, takes advantage of the lights to make itself shine. It dances with the wind through the beams, seeming to float towards its new home on the ground as it pleases. The wind lets the rain enjoy its dance, but is secretly manipulating it to do exactly as it pleases. The rain will fall exactly where the wind decides to place it, and there is nothing that can be done about it. The clouds billow by and the darkness encroaches, oblivious to the games.