The Blind Man Society

Hello everybody! This is blowtorch lady again writing with another creative outlook on life. Today I want to invite you to pick an object- anything at all- that would metamorphically represent you. No rush as this can be a difficult task since you’d have to consider an object that encapsulates the ongoing tension between your own self-reflection and external judgment. Hopefully, by the end of this article you may have a better idea as to what that is.

It’s important to acknowledge that these items change as we move through different life stages. In fact, I encourage this evolution, as it reflects our growth to a more fulfilling and enriched life. For example, back when I was an art teacher my metaphoric self-portrait was a paint brush with the bristles made of fire because of my passion towards the arts and how I wanted to spread that like wildfire. Five years later I would now describe my object as a colorful, Victorian enameled compass. Through my curious nature, I have a creative and thoughtful approach to helping others discover, express, and empower their inner child- the person I seek direction from to help me stay true to my own path. 

The first step in the Metaphoric Self-portrait was tearing apart a 2’ X 1’ sheet of paper symbolizing the process of deconstructing and reflecting on each piece to rebuild on their foundation. Some students would look at the pristine, stable surface with anxiety as they tried to justify tearing it apart and “destroying it” as they were scared to screw it up. This speaks to the expectations imposed on them by society- they made it this far without rocking the boat or tearing their paper. Some students highly enjoyed this process and ripped the paper to mini pieces, reassembled and glued it back together turning the paper not to just a blank canvas to build upon, but a sturdier foundation- a testament to their creative resilience and their capacity for self-growth. 

Each student then brainstormed on their object to represent their metaphorical self; an object that shows their own self-perception and aspirations. One student chose a candle because of her belief that she lights up the lives of others. When I asked why she didn’t choose a lightbulb, she expressed her fear that she might not always be able to keep that flame alive and understood her wax can only handle the heat for so long. Throughout the year it was an honor to watch as she utilized her self-doubt and her ability to bring warmth to others into strength that helped her persevere for herself and her friends. Another student selected a martini glass because while glass seems sturdy and aesthetically pleasing, it is one of the most delicate and fragile of the glassware. I watched throughout the year as they tried to mask their vulnerability with a seemingly strong exterior. Others chose books, theatrical masks, suns, technology and my personal favorite a Goose wearing a silly outfit because she considered herself a “silly goose”- a memory tattooed in my head that I am fortunate to recall when in need of a smile. 

This project was done when they were freshman just entering high school, it is interesting to think of what they would consider their metaphorical self-portrait now- as seniors. Your metaphorical self-portrait, your own self-reflection is a journey to trust in yourself- to trust the process. To settle in with a metaphorical object is to embrace your unique qualities and acknowledge your strengths and vulnerabilities and to ultimately take pride in your own journeys. We are continually navigating a world that often seeks to define who we are for us. Shane Koyczan has a Ted Talk called “To This Day”… for the bullied and beautiful in which he states “See, they asked me what I wanted to be, then told me what not to be”. My hope was to enlighten my students (and perhaps you all) that our identities are not fixed by others’ perceptions but instead shaped by our own experiences, how we approach challenges in our lives and what pushes us to continue on. I am excited to see what my Victorian style compass evolves to as I continue to allow my inner child to trust herself, believe my own worth and eventually lead to self-triumph. 

So I ask again… what is your own metaphorical self-portrait?