my care2
make a difference

causes & news

news network

socially conscious news and video shared and rated by the community

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

Science & Tech  (tags: mirror, mirrors, perception, reality, mirror therapy, mental images )

Ombretta
- 81 days ago - nytimes.com
Informative piece on how mirrors and the mind work together...do mirrors lie, or is it our brains that don't perceive reality? Read about mirror therapy, how our perceptions of ourselves are mentally enhanced, and more.
Comments

Ombretta LittleShadow (411)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 3:34 am
Ultimately, after reading this piece I realized I am MUCH FATTER than I think I am when I look in that great big flat mirror on my bathroom wall...LOL! (I don't know why I'm laughing...it's really not funny...wah!)

Seriously, there is such an amazing disconnect between mirrors and the mind for most of us; alternatively, mirror therapy is helping those who suffer from phantom limb syndrome, chronic pain and post-stroke paralysis. And find out which animal species have passed the "self-recognition test."
 

charles mclachlan (627)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 3:42 am
hi noted cate well am not looking into it just might cracklol
 

Dolores H. (37)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 3:53 am
*sigh*
 

Elle J. (226)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 3:55 am
I try to avoid the mirror when ever I can.I know what I look like and the short comings that I have and I have to live with it. Thankfully, I don't have to look at myself all day long like other people do. LOL All I will do is get older but so will everyone else. I just don't spend much time in front of the mirror. Thanks for the interesting story, Cate
 

Joycey B. (512)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 5:40 am
There have been days where I literally screamed when I looked in the mirror. The older I get, the more I hate it. LoL. Thanks for another great story Cate.
 

Marena Chen (116)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 6:23 am
Ughhhhhhh!!!!
 

Pauline Houzard (81)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 6:25 am
Ahh well! Noted Cate.
 

Eternal Optimist (117)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 6:42 am
Fascinating :) Noted with thanks Cate :)
 

Stephen R Hannon (219)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 6:43 am
Noted, thanks Cate
 

Tere M. (41)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 7:04 am
Noted, thank you Cate! I should say that I will always remember my little ones discovering themselves in the mirror, so interesting! :)
 

Past Member (0)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 7:25 am
noted...unfortuantley or fortunately...the mirror doesnt show us what we look like in our heart on the inside where it counts the most. *smile*
As a psyche nurse I have encountered people who suffer from eating disorders and when they look in the mirror at a way then normal weight...they still see themselves as fat..and the eating disorder persists.
 

Mick C. (37)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 7:32 am
noted,Cate - thank you.
 

Jennifer Shaw (19)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 7:45 am
Thanks, Cate (and Charles). Noted.
 

Helen Beasley (30)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 8:14 am
Thanks Cate, Great reading I really hate looking in the mirror anymore I see the age that I don't think I'am and those extra pounds I don't think is there.
 

Tim Redfern (473)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 8:55 am
What's the opposite of narcissism?
Whatever it is, I've got it.
I DO NOT like mirrors at all!

Blonde joke:
Two blondes are together, and one has a hand mirror.
She looks into it and says,
"Hmmm....that person looks familiar."
The other blonde grabs the mirror, looks into it, and says,
"You idiot! That's ME!"

Thanks, Cate!
noted.
 

Brenda H. (139)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 9:19 am
WOW--BEEN LIED TO ALL THESE YEARS! THANKS CATE--- :o(
 

Nevaeh M. (74)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 9:32 am
When i look in the mirror, i see a beautiful person on how i can grace someone with my presence today Whenever you walk past a mirror,
You should stop and take a look.
So you can see the beauty that I see,
and wonder the time it must have took.
For God to create you and i so perfect,Why should we change the pieces that are our parts
why dose the world want to be so vain ? every one is special not plane
It's a body like no other it's awesome to see
that your soul is the one that should have always been seen
Thank you Cate you are AWESOME great topic
 

Joan Mclaughlin (123)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 10:02 am
noted
 

Diana D. (172)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 10:15 am
Interesting, thanks Cate. I see myself different depending on the day. I have ugly days, attractive days, who the h_ll is that in the mirror days. Photographs are the hardest for me, my appearance frozen in time and I think ick where did that extra neck skin come from or other unfamiliar features? The mirror prabably thankfully does not always see that and in the mirror I can remind myself that I have a beautiful soul and that hey Diana you look younger than 50 today!!!
 

Terrie Williams (292)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 11:09 am
I avoid mirrors like the plague. I know what I look like on the outside.
 

Dee C. (416)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 11:11 am
For me..there came a point and time in my life where I needed/wanted to see past the image that was right there staring back at me..and so I did..as scary and disheartening as it seemed at first..I learned to see beyond the image and right to the heart..the very core of me..I carefully studied every little nook and cranny..every little line and wrinkle..all the flaws and scars..the hairless head..I was so intrigued by this new way of seeing me..

I think even if mirrors and photographs didn't lie..we certainly do when we see our very own reflection..We deem it to be good or bad..and while doing that..ah we miss seeing so much when we can only see in that judgmental way..
When I look in a mirror now..I see such strength..hope..and love..and a very abbey-normal lady smiling back at me..right from her heart and Soul..
Thanks Cate..very interesting..
Noted..
 

Ombretta LittleShadow (411)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 1:24 pm
OFF TOPIC; DON'T FORGET TO SIGN FOR JULIE IF YOU HAVEN"T YET, AND ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO SIGN TOO! THANK YOU!
Justice for Julie
 

Louise L. (35)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 3:37 pm
This is such a fascinating topic: haven't we all had co-workers who seem to think they were 10's when we knew they were 2's? I've always pondered what they see in that looking glass. I am no longer a fan of mirrors, because I picture myself the way I looked at 35. However, I like myself much more and feel more confidant and wise than I did then, so it makes no sense. It just is! Thanks, Cate, you find great info.
 

David Gould (91)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 3:46 pm
I have been wondering who that little; fat, old, bald geek is that confronts me when I shave in eht mornings.

Maybe I am strange but the aging process fasinates me...I thought that Like Dorian Gray it would never happen to me...and it does.

If I grew a beard I would never see that image.

the real trick is to try and see yourself as others see you...for that you need a video...and a strong malt or sedative.
 

Bill McGlone (120)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 3:56 pm
I have a mirror attached to a link around my neck,sort of like a harmonica holder. On this mirror is a clock and I constantly am both looking in the mirror and watching the clock.Why,you might ask? Because since I've installed this device I have not aged one bit in 22 years!Scoff if you like, but I assure you it works! Try it for about 15 years and stay away from a particular friend for the same 15 years. Then arrange a meeting with that friend and you will be amazed how much that friend has aged while you will not have aged at all!!! BTW:Tim thanx for the Blonde joke..
 

Kathy W. (177)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 3:59 pm
LOL Dolores and Tim... I look into a mirror as little as possible. Vanity has never been a big deal in my life... I is what I is, so to speak... And, really, it's what's on the inside that really counts anyway, right? Thanks Cate.... PS, I signed for Julie...
 

Michael Sandstrom (360)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 5:41 pm
LOL, lucky for me I only have to see me once or twice a day. Just think, everybody else has to look at me more than I do!! (grin) Noted & TY
 

Sue Rebel (475)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 8:19 pm
Noted, thank you Cate and Charles! Mirror Mirror oh what lies you tell.. I would rather cover them all up and not have to look into them .. Will just bust my ego bubble I tell ya..LMAO
and Tim hehehe.. Blonde here ya know..
 

Blue Bunting (760)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 8:22 pm
Perception is everything !!!!!!

ROTFLMBO ...
 

Denice G. (47)
Tuesday July 22, 2008, 8:24 pm
Ewwwwww Not the mirror again!!
 

Kathy C. (281)
Wednesday July 23, 2008, 2:15 am
I have one of those fat mirrors:)
 

Ombretta LittleShadow (411)
Wednesday July 23, 2008, 3:06 am
Me too, Kathy...LOL