Your Reflection can be Deceptive. By Astra Moon

By Astra Moon
POSTED: 15 Jun 2012 14:18
CATEGORY: Inspirational

(Go to comments)

As I state in the title, what you see looking back at you when you look in the mirror, it can deceive you. Here, let me explain.
I'm a sucker for stories about birth defects, diseases, illness, medical syndromes...they fascinate me. So many things that can go wrong...I read about them for fun. This is what I was doing last night. I was just googling photos of babies with birth defects....some of the results you get, they're horrid.
Then, I look in the mirror, & I think the same thing about myself. The situation is so very different though. You see, I have Clinical Major Depression, because of that, I also have an extremely low self esteem & find fault with almost everything about me. Even the medication I'm on doesn't combat my issues with my image.
You're probably asking, "what does this have to do with birth defects". The 2 have nothing in common, my depression & birth defects, they are unrelated. So here's where they collide in my book: Every day I look in the mirror & I see hatred for myself, genuine, impassioned DISGUST for my image. Then, looking at those babies last night suddenly....I didn't think so badly of myself.
OK, I have bad skin. Yea, so I am very over-weight. Sure, I have bad eye sight. But, other then those, all very common issues, my appearance is normal, not the best, but I certainly have nothing to cry about. These poor babies, most of which didn't live past a few hours. Some didn't have brains, some didn't have eyes, some were missing arms &/or legs...& I cry about such minimal things.
I'll always have issues with my image, that's isn't going to change, but I've learned by looking & studying that while I hate what I see, things aren't half as bad as what some parents have to go through. My problems aren't even NEAR as bad as what some NEWBORNS have to go through in the first MINUTES of their lives.

+10 -0

Azure09
20 Jun 2012 05:22

But don't forget!You brain makes you look 5x prettier than you actually are!

Astra Moon
17 Jun 2012 18:03

Quoth EpicArtifex:

Quoth Astra Moon:Quoth EpicArtifexf course it's unfortunate that the babies were defective in such ways, however I doubt it's as horrible for them as it would look. Newborn babies have incredibly simple brains, and aren't really capable of feeling strong emotion. They're guided mostly by instinct. Also they're kinda stupid, and don't really know what's happening anyway. If they die after a few hours, as you say, they wouldn't have much time to reflect on their predicaments.

Yea, but the pain some of them feel. And what of the ones who do survive & get older? Look up the disease Harlequin Icthyosis or Treacher-Collins Syndrome...Both of these cause your PHYSICAL appearence to be abnormal.

I know. I'm just sayin' that it isn't as bad as it looks in many cases.

It is with those 2...the deformities are inevitable.

EpicArtifex
16 Jun 2012 19:14

Quoth Astra Moon:

Quoth EpicArtifexquote]Of course it's unfortunate that the babies were defective in such ways, however I doubt it's as horrible for them as it would look. Newborn babies have incredibly simple brains, and aren't really capable of feeling strong emotion. They're guided mostly by instinct. Also they're kinda stupid, and don't really know what's happening anyway. If they die after a few hours, as you say, they wouldn't have much time to reflect on their predicaments.

Yea, but the pain some of them feel. And what of the ones who do survive & get older? Look up the disease Harlequin Icthyosis or Treacher-Collins Syndrome...Both of these cause your PHYSICAL appearence to be abnormal. [/quote]

I know. I'm just sayin' that it isn't as bad as it looks in many cases.

Astra Moon
16 Jun 2012 13:26

Quoth Lakhlan01:

Quoth EpicArtifexf course it's unfortunate that the babies were defective in such ways, however I doubt it's as horrible for them as it would look. Newborn babies have incredibly simple brains, and aren't really capable of feeling strong emotion. They're guided mostly by instinct. Also they're kinda stupid, and don't really know what's happening anyway. If they die after a few hours, as you say, they wouldn't have much time to reflect on their predicaments.

Stewie from Family Guy was conscious at birth.

That is an animated comedy. In no way does it have anything to do with ANY of this.

Lakhlan01
16 Jun 2012 07:14

Quoth EpicArtifex:

Of course it's unfortunate that the babies were defective in such ways, however I doubt it's as horrible for them as it would look. Newborn babies have incredibly simple brains, and aren't really capable of feeling strong emotion. They're guided mostly by instinct. Also they're kinda stupid, and don't really know what's happening anyway. If they die after a few hours, as you say, they wouldn't have much time to reflect on their predicaments.

Stewie from Family Guy was conscious at birth.

Astra Moon
16 Jun 2012 03:05

Quoth EpicArtifex:

Of course it's unfortunate that the babies were defective in such ways, however I doubt it's as horrible for them as it would look. Newborn babies have incredibly simple brains, and aren't really capable of feeling strong emotion. They're guided mostly by instinct. Also they're kinda stupid, and don't really know what's happening anyway. If they die after a few hours, as you say, they wouldn't have much time to reflect on their predicaments.

Yea, but the pain some of them feel. And what of the ones who do survive & get older? Look up the disease Harlequin Icthyosis or Treacher-Collins Syndrome...Both of these cause your PHYSICAL appearence to be abnormal.

EpicArtifex
16 Jun 2012 00:15

Quoth Keyblade Ninja:

Ah, you are right. My friends, some have been blind since birth, one deaf, and one is crosseyed, and his hands are messed up. And all the other people I know think its funny and they have the real problems when my disabled friends get made fun of for who they are. I don't see why people must do this, why they care more for themselves. Good that you realize your not the one to be caring for, compared to the babies with birth defects. Keep thinking that way, it would be nice knowing that someone out in the world was thinking about you, if you had defects, right? You've got a good mind and heart for thinking of such things as mentioned above. +1

You ask why humans care more for themselves.
Humans are self-centred, greedy, and their entire existence is centred around their own survival. For the VAST majority of humankind's time on this planet our brains have evolved all their traits almost exclusively centred around reproduction and survival. Who are we to argue with millenia of evolution?

EpicArtifex
16 Jun 2012 00:11

Of course it's unfortunate that the babies were defective in such ways, however I doubt it's as horrible for them as it would look. Newborn babies have incredibly simple brains, and aren't really capable of feeling strong emotion. They're guided mostly by instinct. Also they're kinda stupid, and don't really know what's happening anyway. If they die after a few hours, as you say, they wouldn't have much time to reflect on their predicaments.

Keyblade Ninja
15 Jun 2012 18:40

Ah, you are right. My friends, some have been blind since birth, one deaf, and one is crosseyed, and his hands are messed up. And all the other people I know think its funny and they have the real problems when my disabled friends get made fun of for who they are. I don't see why people must do this, why they care more for themselves. Good that you realize your not the one to be caring for, compared to the babies with birth defects. Keep thinking that way, it would be nice knowing that someone out in the world was thinking about you, if you had defects, right? You've got a good mind and heart for thinking of such things as mentioned above. +1

Dog1209
15 Jun 2012 18:02

RainbowCookiez34
15 Jun 2012 16:32

so, so true. this is a very touching, great blog. Bravo
+1

Your Reflection can be Deceptive.

Comments