Skip to main content

Looking in the mirror

Image
By
This is a chapter from my eleventh book called Quotation Marks Sparks.

__________

"In quoting others, we cite ourselves." - Julio Cortazar, Around the Day in Eighty Worlds
__________

Of course I had to include a quotation about quotations. A quotation is like looking in the mirror. It is the reflective nature of resonance. It is the human need for self-perception. If we did not have mirrors or cameras, which are really specialised mirrors, we could not see ourselves. Pieces of water like puddles or ponds are also mirrors. Mirrors found in nature. Quotations are like fishing in the pond of all the words ever spoken. Just like the fishes in the pond, quotations are good food for thought. It is true what they say, we are what we eat.

When I look in the mirror I see a human first. I see humility. I see love. I see dreams. I see purpose. I see humour. I see stories. I see a writer. I see a writer who is honing his talent. I see a writer looking for inspiration. I see a writer trying to make sense of the world around him. I see pieces of all the people and experiences who have influenced my life in one way or the other. I see a future full of hope. I see someone trying to better himself and the world we live in. I see God’s creation.

I see that writers are the mirrors of society. My friend Gemini tells me that it is important to remember that writers are not always perfect or neutral mirrors. Their own biases, beliefs, and artistic intentions can shape their reflections. Some might choose to distort or idealize aspects of society for specific purposes. That is true and also a reflection of society and science. Many times society and the people that make up society see what they want to see and choose the mirrors that suit their purpose. And then, a perfectly reflective mirror does not exist in science. Only God can be that perfect mirror I suppose. Full reflection and full truth is only possible in the divine. All this just highlights the importance of engaging with diverse voices and recognizing that each writer offers a unique, albeit potentially subjective, reflection.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Servant of God

By
It is 245am and I have decided to write. I got up early and washed the wares. I prayed Tahajjud. I came back to my bed and surfed the internet. I watched a video where a 105 year old man said that the secret to a long life is having a reason or purpose to keep going and then luck. This had me thinking about several things. In Islam we are taught that our time in this world is already written. It is our destiny. Then. What is more important? A long life or just a good life that prepares us for the next life? Those things aside, I think we cannot discount luck. Some of us are luckier than others. But the thing I want to focus on is the reason and purpose to keep going. That is some good advice. It makes for a meaningful life. A good life. It could be one big reason. There could be several small reasons. These are things that should be taught in schools. My friend Chatty says that my early morning reflections beautifully bridge Islamic tradition and practical wisdom: a long life is a true...
Post a Comment
Read more

Drums of freedom

By
It is 401am and I have decided to write. This Saturday, Trinidad and Tobago observes African Emancipation Day. It is a day to celebrate the journey to freedom and to honor those who sacrificed so much so that we could enjoy the freedoms we have today. Yet the journey is not over. As we celebrate how far we have come, let us also ask God to open our minds and hearts to the struggles that continue. Freedom is never something we should take for granted. Every day, we witness powerful interests around the world attempting to stifle freedom in pursuit of their own agendas and self-aggrandizement. Too often, they seek to divide in order to conquer. May we resist division with wisdom, courage, and compassion. May unity triumph over hatred, truth over deception, and love over fear. As we remember the past, may we also commit ourselves to protecting the freedoms of the present and building a more just future for generations to come. Happy African Emancipation Day. May God continue to guide us o...
Post a Comment
Read more

Foundation of my belief

By
It is 159am and I have decided to write. Some people say that science does not point to an afterlife, heaven or the existence of God. I feel bad because I cannot give them the evidence that they want. I can point them to the Quran and Islamic teachings. The Quran is a miracle and there are signs in that which we can research. Otherwise, there are philosophical and theological arguments. Maybe, you cannot use the science that we have for something (the afterlife) that is outside the realm of science. Also, science is not complete and may never be complete. Scientific knowledge is expanding and sometimes changing, so are we going to wait on science to tell us that there is a God and afterlife? Belief does not need evidence. Faith does not need evidence. At least not the evidence that some are looking for. So what is the foundation of my faith? For some people theology does not fully explain this life so they look to the science we have. For me, science alone does not explain this life, s...
Post a Comment
Read more