The Man in the Glass

Consider this an introduction.

This project begins not with the purpose of catering to a specific theme but rather as an outlet for my own creative digression.

I spend a lot of time self-reflecting, intentional or not. To analyze yourself is the pathway to the proclaimed “growth” of a person. This is a concept echoed throughout time, famously stated by the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates:

“An unexamined life is not worth living.”

A pinnacle of my life has revolved around the desire to understand. To satiate my need for the truth of events foregone and for clairvoyance of the future. A fruitful, noble pursuit but not one without the extremities of confronting inner pain and investigating the harsh realities of life. But this desire for understanding is also born of curiosity. To explore new concepts, discuss interesting ideas, and ultimately transcend what I thought I knew.

I am motivated by an underlying sense of urgency. Time is fleeting. Life is a short adventure full of self-discovery. It would be a dishonour to myself and my spirit to not pursue the things that bring me fulfillment. This idea is illustrated beautifully within The Man In The Glass, a poem by Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr:

For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife,
Whose judgment upon you must pass,
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life,
Is the one staring back from the glass.

It is an epic and powerful poem that struck me hard and which I routinely revisit. It begs the question of whose judgement matters most? Could I live with myself if I didn’t pursue my interests albeit seemingly mundane? Will I grow into an old man with the unequivocal shortness of time shouldering a mountain of subtle regret? Do I wish to grow old full of resentment due to my youthful imprudence?

When the glass stares back, will I be proud of who I see?