IN one of the podcasts I follow, I was captivated by the idea of “seeing the world as a mirror and as a lamp.” It was thought-provoking and made me think of how I perceive my life.
The lamp projects reality as it happens, while the mirror reflects reality “as it is.” In the banking world, acquired properties for sale often come with this phrase, “as is where is.” A financial website states it essentially means that the property is being sold or priced in its current condition, whatever this condition happens to be.
But let’s not delve into financial hieroglyphics. Where were we? Oh yes, the mirror and the lamp.
Gazing at the mirror, what do you see? Your short curly hair and fair skin, and when you dance, the image also moves. The mirror faithfully reflects your physical self—unless you‘re using Maleficent’s mirror.
In the workplace, you gravitate with whom you share the same interests. Most probably, this group also reflects your personality and character.
If you’re happy in your job, contentment and satisfaction follow. However, when you are unhappy, there may be a misalignment between your work and your passion. When you love what you do, you will never have to work a day in your life. That's what Confucius taught us.
How you manage work-related stress is a reflection of how resilient you are. No matter what life throws at you, you always catch it and turn it into an opportunity.
That’s life. The mirror reflects yourself or your inner self.
Seeing life as a lamp is different. A lamp illuminates and guides us. It serves as a beacon in navigating life’s highway.
Our lamps are our mentors, teachers, books, or even our gut feelings.
During our grade school days, teachers serve as our role models. Our minds are like sponges—we absorb our teachers’ wisdom, and we obediently follow their guidance. Even now, our children diligently listen to their teachers rather than with us.
As we grow older, we feed our thirst for knowledge through books or the internet. It’s the curiosity in us. We are always eager to know more, sometimes even more than required. A “Maritess.”
Our gut feelings or intuitions also serve as lamps. A woman’s intuition, specifically a wife’s, is never wrong. Listen to your gut feeling when making decisions. It’s your inner lamp.
In this grand highway called life, the mirror reflects our naked selves—bare with all our quirks and imperfections, the lamp illuminates and guides us in the right direction, and we all dance to the rhythm both perspectives create.
