Days 239-243 – Your Self Portrait – Journal of Sacred Work

It is one of the many fascinating "what ifs" of history. It concerns one of the greatest men of any generation.

If Abraham Lincoln had died early in 1860 (the year of his election) he would be forgotten. His career up to that point had included his practice of law, only one term as a Congressman and a failed campaign against Stephen Douglas for Senator.

Every one of Lincoln's great accomplishments occurred in the single half-decade that ended with his assassination in 1865. His portrait now matters so much to us that it is etched into both the $5 bill & our hearts.

In an age of "selfies" (a term that can trivialize self-portraits by Rembrandt, Picasso, Frida Kahlo & Andy Warhohl) what do your "selfies" say? The question takes on a sharply different meaning if you think of other life expressions as self portraits: what you write, how you parent & how you spend your career.

What if your portrait also reflected behaviors you regret? In an episode of the old television series "Twilight Zone" a man invites guests to put on masks that reflect his idea of their personalities. Many of the masks show hideous expressions including (as I recall) anger, snobbery, gluttony and other sins. The group scoffs at the game until at the end of the evening they are unable to remove the masks & are permanently doomed to look like their worst selves.

In such a game Hitler's visage might be a horror mask of blood & torture. Would Lincoln's image be crowned with light?

Of course, each of us is light & shadow. Even compassionate faces carry pockmarks. But every loving caregiver is beautiful.

Self-portraits become meaningful when they tell deeper truths. What do you see in your life's mirror?

-Erie Chapman.

Self-portrait by Erie

Published by

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Categories: Reflections, Holidays, Spirituality

Tags: caregivers, Erie Chapman, loving care, Rod Serling, selfie’s, Twilight Zone

10 responses to “Days 239-243 – Your Self Portrait”

JVD

July 13, 2015 at 4:22 pm

A selfie is a single frame from the movie of our life. A self portrait is more a movement in a symphony. You place notes on a staff. You compose the arrangement. You rehearse for best exposure.
It is a mirror image of your imagined image of yourself. The rough parts softened. The over exposed polarized for a better view. The extraneous cropped from the scene. The minute brought into focus. It is the portrait of one’s self but not of the self.
3 2 1 now smile! Hey! This doesn’t look like me…do over. Sorry, out of film.
My reflections:
Movies – Dave, V for Vendetta, The Last Starfighter.
Art – Stained glass windows, M.C. Escher, mandalas.
Comic book artists – Jim Steranko, Barry Windsor-Smith, Marc Andreyko.
Music I am listening to now – Sharon Hopkins, Arthur Sullivan, Snatam Kaur.
Love.
Blend gently. I am in the paint mixture, not ready to dry.

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marily

July 13, 2015 at 7:34 pm

I likened “Selfies” as a retreat…where I can check it out first prior final acceptable picture perfect.
As we perceive life events… When we get offended by a loved one we need that selfie time… Just to retreat and reflect how did this made me feel and how can this become a positive acceptance in my part…check out all negative emotions processed to become a heathy me…that’s what I want in a my life, self portraits of no regrets.
I hope I made sense… 🙂

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erie chapman

July 13, 2015 at 9:07 pm

Thank you, Marily. Maybe all self-portraits have regrets? I never believe people when they say, “If I had it to do over again I would not change a thing. I have no regrets.” This always sounds to me like people saying what they think sounds good rather than what is true.

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erie chapman

July 13, 2015 at 9:08 pm

Thank you, JVD. “It is the portrait of one’s self but not of the self.” That is right except maybe when the artist does such a transcendent job that the self comes through? Love your sign-off: “Blend gently, I am in the paint mixture not ready to dry.”

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~liz Wessel

July 14, 2015 at 12:48 am

This is such a powerful expression, Erie and I appreciate how I am stretched beyond my comfort zone from superficial to a more meaningful realm. I do recall that particular Twilight Zone episode that you reference because Rod Sterling also wanted to stir us to self-examine our ways of being and to look for the deeper truth of our lives. Thank you.
Love unfolds in the present moment and forgiveness softens…the heart. Both JVD & Marily’s insights compliment your reflection.
P.S. I find your self-portrait intriguing. 🙂

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JVD

July 14, 2015 at 2:15 pm

I actually had started my thoughts with a self vs. soul portrait analysis but my thought train took a detour. Another view on a mask is ‘The Mask’ (1994) with Jim Carrey (or it’s comic book origins). Even some of the aspects of ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (1999). Behavior that starts hidden comes to the forefront and can consume with frightening results. AKA be careful what you wish for.
As for your self-portrait illustrating the reflection, I see it as an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ view. One last glimpse through the looking glass before you go through the doorway to adventure.

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erie chapman

July 15, 2015 at 12:56 pm

Thank you, Liz. And thank you for commenting on the odd self-portrait:-)

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~liz Wessel

July 16, 2015 at 7:52 am

I think it is fascinating; the lovely painting framed on the wall, the frame within a frame glimpsing in, glimpsing out and your vibrancy reflected in a moment.

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erie chapman

July 16, 2015 at 1:18 pm

Liz. You are such a RARE being to actually take the time to notice and to SEE in the way that you have here. There are not one in a million people who would slow down and look the way you do and most people have not even thought to do such a thing. Thank you so much for that gift.

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erie chapman

July 16, 2015 at 1:19 pm

JVD – Thank you again for sharing your insights and thoughts in the beautiful way that you do.

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