Mirror

I loved Ripley’s Believe It or Not! books. Strange, odd, or weird, I am in. Excited does not capture what I felt when we went to the real-deal, in-person museum to see the oddities up close.

As strange as the exhibits probably were, I only recall one. Perhaps I remember it because I saw it twice that trip. Entering the room on my left was a setup that depicted various ways one could roll their tongue and the rarity of the capability for each. Some percentage can roll it one way, fewer the other. Even fewer can do both or fold it like a taco. Naturally, as I read the different pieces of information, I tested my abilities. Luckily, they provided a mirror to gauge success.

Near the end of the museum, you learn the mirror is a two-way mirror. Standing on the other side, people walked up and made stupid faces with their tongues. How hilarious because they look so foolish… wait. I did that. Oh man, I tried to recollect exactly what I had done—how had I behaved?

Another person on our side of the mirror tapped on the glass. My dad stopped them. “Let them find out like you did.” We watched until the novelty faded. We moved on, at least physically. I walked away, but I have never once trusted another mirror.

While I saw the other people making the faces, I was really seeing myself. I was laughing at my prior foolishness. Perhaps everything in the world is a mirror. I find it hard to see anything without some reflection of myself. Sometimes, I literally see myself. Even if not so completely me, everything passes through the lens of my experiences or my mood.

Am I fully appreciating this experience, or is my reflection casting heavily? If it is my reflection, will it be a positive one? Will I see you as you or a version of myself?

Be curious, be kind, be whole, do good things.