ONE of the things that differentiates humanity from animals is the ability to reflect. Some might argue that their pets seem to have the gift of insight, but it is generally accepted that the mental capacity to reflect is a core part of being human.
It seems to me to be an interesting topic and one worthy of exploring in the winter issue of Glass Man – the advent of a new year always seems a good time to take a pause to reflect on the last one, especially considering the past lockdown years of which no one could have expected. How has the pandemic affected you, for instance?
B.I Photograph: Ji Yong Yoon
The Czech politician Vaclav Havel noted that, “The salvation of this human world lies nowhere else than in the human heart, in the human power to reflect, in human meekness and human responsibility.”
While “The role of culture is that it’s the form through which we as a society reflect on who we are, where we’ve been, where we hope to be,” says American actor Wendell Pierce.
As the philosopher Socrates observed, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” That seems a bit harsh perhaps, but it is important to take time stock of your life and consider what has worked and what hasn’t. What can I improve? What do I need to change? We asked the Glass Man cover stars what reflect means to them.
Harris Dickinson. Photograph: Freddie Stisted
K-pop singer B.I told us: “I think the word reflect walks hand in hand with the word remember. I’m a person that will never forget the love shown to me and in return, I try to return that love by being the best version of me today. Someone once told me, the past you may be the one that created the present you, but it’s the present you that can change the world.”
Up-and-coming London-born actor Harris Dickinson had a more light-hearted take when we asked him, quipping: “Isn’t reflection just a posh word for anxiety?”
I hope you find time over the holidays to reflect.
By Caroline Simpson
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