Who is this sassy, fun thing?
When I saw this picture for the first time in many years, I held it and studied it as if seeing it for the first time. I could not believe it was me. I felt much like Barbara Streisand’s character in the movie, The Mirror Has Two Faces, when she saw a picture she had never seen of herself when she was a little girl. I thought, “This is me? I was cute, fun, happy, loved and confident?”
As I looked at this picture, I couldn’t believe this was me. You see, like Barbara Streisand’s character, I had lost my way, too. I had forgotten who I was. It seemed everything I had been doing in my life for so many years was part of a journey to take me right back here – to being who I always was, this fun, happy, loved and confident person, much like what happened with Barbara Streisand’s character.
Quote from The Mirror Has Two Faces:
Mother: Do you know what I thought when you were a baby? That you looked just like your dad, and that Claire looked like me.
Rose: (looking at an old picture of little girl) What’s that? She was so pretty, even then. Look at those eyes. Those lips.
Mother: That’s not Claire, that’s you.
Rose: Me? I never saw this picture.
Mother: I found it when I was cleaning up.
Rose: This was me? I was pretty?
Mother: Your father adored you. But you know that. He never felt that way about Claire. Only you. I don’t think he ever held a baby until you came. He never wanted to let you go.
Rose: I’m glad you found this.
Mother: So am I.
Rose: She was very pretty.
Mother: You were very pretty. Remember that.
So, as I look at this picture of this fun, happy, loved and confident little girl, I am telling myself, “That’s me. Remember that. That’s the real me. The me before the ugliness of the world. The me before I lost my way. If ever I need to find myself, I need not look any further than this picture.”
We all need one of these pictures. It does not matter the age you are in the picture. Just find at least one picture of yourself where you shine, not just shine on the outside, but shine on the inside, too – you at the top of your game, confident and happy. Put these pictures where you can see them every day. And, remember, you do not have to find yourself. You just have to remember who you are.
P.S. Please note the pose. This is why I cannot wear dresses to this day.
This is so true! What a great idea to have pictures that capture us at our best out where we can see them all the time as a reminder!
I love your perspective on this, needing only to remember who you are not find it. What an inspiring way to look at things.
I recently did a post on old photos myself, however mine was more about the eras I’ve grown up in and how I feel looking back. I love to remember, to think back, reflect, it’s very thought provoking.
Great post and I love your blog, keep writing!
Thank you, Mesina! I’m glad you loved it.
I love old pictures! Don’t they just take you back? Even if they are before your time, it still takes you there. That is why they and the stories that go with them are so important. I wrote about that, too. lol
http://extraordinaryintheordinary.com/2009/07/hidden-treasures/
I’m going to check out your post now! I can’t wait to read it!
Just found your blog after your kind comments on my own blog. Great site you have here, and I LOVE your perspective in this post as well: “You do not have to find yourself. You just have to remember who you are.” Great words to remember on those days when you doubt who you are and what you are doing.
It really is so amazing how true that is, Debbie. So many drastically underestimate who they really are inside…and it’s been there all along.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting! I look forward to following your blog. Organization is where I need the most help. My worst area…other than my office…is my file system on the computer. I cringe and want to crawl in bed and pull the covers over my head at the thought of it. lol
Wow, what a beautiful, inspiring perspective. I’m putting that movie on my list-to-watch (which has gotten preposterously long…) and I’m also going to look through some old photos to see if I can find one that can move me in any such way. This year has been such a transitional phase in my life, I want to make sure I have a reminder not to leave any of my good remnants behind.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and that you are going to look for some pictures, too! It’s funny. I had looked at this pictures so many times years ago but never really saw it until just recently. I was amazed that after all these years I had missed the obvious. Another thing I might suggest if you are going through a transitional time is to journal. It will help you to remember the things that are revealed to you along the way. It helps to keep us on the right path by remembering and staying focused on the things we learn.
what an awesome story!!! I have just begun to discover photography and myself, very inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Tami! Enjoy photography! It can be quite therapeutic. I definitely recommend the book God Is At Eye Level.
Thank you for the reminder to remember who I am, a message that can never be heard too many times.
Now I must go dig up some old photos…
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..The Cost of Money and the Value of My Time =-.
You are welcome, Melissa! Thanks for stopping by!