Reflection, Shadow & Joy

What do others see in a reflection? I look in the mirror and I see an image of myself but another can look at me and see something totally different. I think we all have a lens through which we see others and we can build those reflections up to be something they are not. Sometimes what another person sees through the filter of their lens is different from how another might perceive it. Just as the sun and the clouds make a difference as to if reflections show up in a window or water, our reflections of our feelings sometimes are not clear to others, especially if they are not looking for them.

When one looks at the picture of the sweet shop, it’s interesting that the reflection in the window of Kings’s College creates two scenes that become one and it almost looks like there is a castle inside the shop. What you think you see is not what really is there. In fact, if you were to walk closer to the window, the closer you get to the window, the truth of what is there is what you will see. You will no longer see the reflection of King’s College but only the sweet shop and the sweets inside it.

I think sometimes when we look at other people we don’t always see a true reflection of who they are. It takes looking a little deeper and getting to know them. It means you have to step closer to them and look past the surface; you have to walk closer to the window.

When I look at this window I see the sunlight in the one corner and the tree reaching up to the sky toward the light. The etchings on the individual panes all are the same but differ slightly in each. It’s also interesting that not every pane has the etching but they are all part of the same window and that window has a layer of darkness on the bottom half. The light will eventually cover the windowpanes and the light will no longer be just a reflection in the window but will shine in through it.

When I look at the little shadow of the much larger lamp post, it makes me smile. The larger lamp post is standing so tall and straight, unbending, while the smaller shadow to me seems to dance, alive and full of joy.

Notice the shadow line running from the bottom of the large lamp post to the little shadow. It reminds me of a child holding his mother’s hand, skipping and hopping around as they walk together. I think it’s why I see joy in the little lamp post, as children are so often full of joy.

Happiness is smiling when the sun’s out.

Joy is dancing in the downpour.

Rend Collective

Please feel free to make comments and/or tell me what YOU see in these pictures.