A Turning Page.

The mirrors & the masks.

✨️

“The light that illuminates the gaze

Comes from the stars in my heart

Derives from a force that made me this way

Comes from words, memories, and flowers

Watered within me

Time can alter

The rain cleanses what has already passed

Only what I have experienced remains

Only what I still am remains

The light that illuminates the gaze

Comes from the corners of imagination

Comes from paths

I have never traversed

As if life knew of dreams

That I never dreamt

Comes from the infinity of the shooting star

From the mirror of the soul.”

Deborah Blando — The Light That Ignites the Gaze (A Luz Que Acende o Olhar.)

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Last August, I stumbled upon an old rendition of this song. What astonished me even more was the performer’s skill in creating a personalized piece of art brimming with deep emotion and sentience. I felt connected to that song for months, sensing a subliminal message that I needed to unravel and understand. It wasn’t until today that I learned what it was conveying. Life indeed resembles a metaphoric voyage — we embark on this captivating quest, navigating through ebbs and flows, peaks, and valleys. We traverse uncharted waters of experience, mapping courses of growth, love, failures, and self-exploration.

In the aftermath of temporal progression, I contemplate whether what lingers is a distilled presence of vivid, lived moments — the deep breaths, the sweet reminders, the baby steps. Life, portrayed as a guardian of dreams, seems to possess an innate knowledge of yearnings, gently hinting at dreams we have yet to dream, whispering to us of the untapped possibilities within.

More often than not, I find myself pondering on the notion that each of us may bear an imperceptible armor, serving as a shield not solely against suffering but also against the soaring heights of life’s endeavors. This protective yet proactive layer wraps itself around our souls, meticulously balancing the necessity to safeguard amidst adversities with the reluctance to fully embrace moments that hold the potential to elevate us to new and exhilarating plenitude.

I see a luminous thread that weaves through the very purpose of our being — the intersection between time, imagination, and the energy shaping our core, suggesting that our internal universe bears the prospect for both clarity and obscurity. The mentioned force, a mysterious stimulus, is the intangible nature that sculpts individuality — a light that shapes and molds, leaving its indelible mark.

The mirrors of my soul are akin to trusted companions, reflecting the journey of my experiences — a testament to the joy of my fights at every glance. In their gaze, I encounter the raw emotions and unseen percipiences that define me. Sometimes, they reveal vulnerabilities I’ve concealed away, mirroring the unspoken chapters of my story. These mirrors are my silent confidantes, capturing the heart of my soul’s evolution, depicting not just my outer image but the intricate mosaic of my inner self.

By acknowledging their reality, I observe continuous images echoing the depths of my self-awareness — a portal to an infinite expanse. It suggests that my true essence is both timeless and boundless. Self-discovery, for me, becomes an attitude that soothes, drawing me closer to my world. It serves as the guiding beacon, illuminating the path to genuine human connections — an authentic expression of my wild existence.

Source:https://unsplash.com/@ingagezalian.

Art, in its myriad forms, possesses the ability to function as a crystal lens, reflecting the nuances of our identities. Yet, the mirror is an elaborate entity, capable of both empowering and challenging us. It reproduces our triumphs, reminding us of resilience, but then again shies little away from confronting us with our imperfections. Within this duality, it propels us toward self-acceptance and the pursuit of authenticity, nurturing the practice of embracing the best in ourselves as a rewarding, everyday endeavor. In undertaking this, we bear the responsibility of preserving and discerning amidst a multitude of perspectives. This emphasizes our duty to underscore the complexity and richness inherent in the ever-evolving human narrative.

Concurrently, we tackle the masks we create — a facade worn for the world that obscures truths and unveils crafted personas, mirroring societal norms, cultural expectations, and collective consciousness. It exposes the layers of character influenced by external perceptions, urging us to question and redefine our sense of self. In contrast, the mirror, a silent confidante, showcases the unadorned spirit. It captures fragilities, murmurs untold voices, and holds a stark realness that the veneer (borrowing a term from dentistry!) seeks to cloak.

These symbolic masks, though abstract, carry significant weight, arising as the architects of our social presentations. They act as barriers, concealing our certainties and preserving our boldness from the judgment of others. Operating as a contemplative lens, they spark reflection on the roles we play, the honesty we surrender, and the intense liberation found in welcoming our disclosed unfiltered priorities.

What I comprehend is that my straightforward integrity has become a turning page, reflecting the coherence within, inviting a dialogue with my shadows and feelings. It shapes a narrative that resonates with my core on a deep level as if it extracts sensations directly from my mind and eloquently depicts them with words. This stands as my expression of self-love, a commitment to nurturing the essence of who I am. In this intertwined journey, my confidence and introspection ignite a synchrony, revealing the strength that surfaces when sincerity and courage converge.

Deciding to heed the echoes within me is akin to opening a door to my inner sanctum. It requires a willingness to delve into the occasionally murky waters of my sentiments, reevaluate the memories of past experiences, and cherish the vulnerabilities I may have hidden away. It’s a singular pact to honor myself, to witness both the beauty and scars etched on my soul’s canvas. Choosing to accept these reverberations is an act of personal examination — an acknowledgment that grasping and assimilating the intricacies of my own reflection is crucial for self-development and empathy.

Immersing myself in the bold images that comes with self-discovery, I uncover not only answers but also the source of questions configuring the depths of my being. It’s a profound pilgrimage, marked not only by the destinations I reach but by the transformative landscapes I explore along the way.

Source:https://www.instagram.com/wonder_doodles

— P.S. I composed this piece last Thursday in my mother’s hospital room. It held great meaning for me. After her surgery, following my prayers, I felt that writing was the best way to cope. Also, here is the link in case anyone wants to listen to the song I mentioned above :

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=irzMdx-6yTc.

Once again, I invite you, dear friends and readers, to tap the 🤎 button, share, and if you feel compelled to, dive into how you perceive your present reflections in a more intimate, unique manner.

✨️ Thaíssa.