In Love With Oneself

That day when I looked into the mirror, I was wonderstruck. Oh ! I was looking very nice. I felt happy at heart to know myself so very presentable and charming that I realized later I had fallen in love with my own self.

My thoughts recalled the legendary Greek tale of young ‘Narcissus’. He had fallen in love with his image in a pond. Everyday he would visit the pond and pine for the handsome figure, little knowing that it was his own reflection. His attempts and wait proved futile as the image vanished with slight touch. In the end Narcissus perished with grief.

The self within me was awakened. It said Dearie you are exceptional. At night when I was going to bed I remembered those sweet words, ‘exceptional lady! I tried to sleep. But sleep would not come to me because I was waiting for someone of my image. Hence I was tempted to look into the mirror.

The mirror on the wall whispered, “you are the fairest of all”. I drew a deep breath as I stood admiring my reflection. A young beautiful face,the nose, the eyes, the dark hairs and the well curved lips all in perfection. I thanked God a million times for making me like this.

Then it became a regular habit for me to give a quick glance at the mirror wherever I found one. I had always found myself pleasing. I whistled softly in delight. The surreptitious glances caught my cheerful mood. The twinkling eyes and the blushing cheeks. Ah, the perfect lady came an honest approbation from within.

Then years flew by leaving my jaded self to ponder the events. The encounter with my present image left me in utter dismay. How I had changed. The face had lost its luster and freshness. A tuft of grey hair was conspicuous. I tried plucking them off but in vain as they were numerous. In a subdued state I kept glancing at my reflection. My eyes penetrated deep into the image. It was true that the body had lost its charm even then something more binding than looks had reappeared. My long lost Ego.

For a moment I flashed my mirror at the world. I had not known at all these years. When I peeped inside their hearts. I could see the infinite formes like those from two mirrors placed opposite each other. A whole world of love was embraced.

A new light dawned upon me. I loved myself more than before. Once again with the aged hand I wiped the dust from the mirror.
_____________________________________________By Prajakta.A.Dighe
The above article was published in The Hitvada.



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