The world is a looking glass, and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. ~ William Makepeace Thackery
Looking glass, besides being a mirror, has several other references. It is a novel series, a computer server, a place in three US states, a name of an 1877 native American leader, among others.
In communication theories looking glass is an interactionist sociological concept.
Charles Cooley is known for his concept of the looking glass self. That is, a person’s self grows out of society’s interpersonal interactions and perceptions of others.
Children learn how others perceive them – “You’re a good boy,” or “You do nothing but get into trouble.”
A cousin tells his 5-year old daughter, “you’re really pretty, my child, aren’t you?”
His daughter answers, pouting as if annoyed that her Dad seems to have only just discovered her looks, “of course I’m pretty, Dad. A lot of people have already told me that.”
You may have known people who believe they are not attractive, although you think they look nice. The mother of that girl with a pretty solid belief of herself as pretty, is quite attractive but doesn’t think she is. Fortunately that is not the case with her daughter.
When I was doing research for a case study on communication ethics, I read that Lady Diana said in an interview that she’s plain. I wondered if the news that she’s considered one of the world’s most beautiful women was ever reflected on her looking glass.
As a kid I once wrapped my head with a white towel like a coif and looked into my mother’s vintage looking glass. That was some kind of curiosity though, not people’s perception of me. I didn’t become a nun.
So I was then a carefree teenager with huge potential for truancy when in the middle of happily neglecting my meager piano ability, I was required to accompany a choir with piano music in a concert less than three weeks away. Struggling, panicking and ready to disappear into uselessness, the music director exposed me as “our pianist.” Although a near death experience due to a nearly fatal embarrassment almost shrouded my looking glass, the two-thousand audience applause after the performance confirmed I was indeed their pianist.
Stasia Desiderata 
what a nice feeling to be “The Pianist” I got to accompany someone in a performance only once in my life, that was my 4 year old son in his violin recital. In the world of music, not a big deal, but what a great feeling. and I don’t think either one of us screwed up.
loose collars
Sometimes we’re too worried, aren’t we? With you on feeling great. Let the world work around whatever looking glass they’ve got.
Interesting. There are people who are considered beautiful that just don’t do anything for me, and people some might consider plain who I think are beautiful.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Oh! I know a lot of people who look so amazing in my eyes but they don’t believe that they are beautiful! I still believe that everybody is pretty. Being pretty or beautiful is just a matter of perception and how an individual describe the state of being beautiful or pretty.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder .Other thinks you are pretty and others you are not but the important thing is how you see yourself .Look and feel beautiful no matter what other say.
beauty is in the eye of the beholder. no one can ever tell your future but you can create your future. somehow people tend to judge you by not knowing who you really are. it doesn’t matter anyway!
Great post! How people feel about themselves is often reflected to others. Carver, ABC Wednesday Team
I never knew that looking glass has so many meanings!
Littlest Petshop
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
such an inspiration, I am nervous to perform also in a crowd, I will remember this post
Interesting read. I studied about this topic when I was doing my baby thesis in college. Brings back memories of dissecting the minds of other people.:)
however a person may want to conceal individuality, there’s always this certain enigma that reflects who truly a person is.
Reflections – how we see ourselves – are often more powerful than the reality. Awareness of this fact is key!
I gotta tell you this, we are all beautiful in every single way.
which helps one recall a song – “I am beautiful no matter what they say… words can’t bring me down!” lol
Looking through glass you gave a lot of perspective about it
Our reflection in the mirror is what our face looks like but the beauty that a mirror can show is nothing compares to the inner glow of a person. But it’s always better to be beautiful inside and out.
For me, I am always that person with the crooked teeth. I hate it but became to accept it as I grew older. I think it helps that my husband find it attractive, though I would always say: only if we’re in Japan! Despite what I feel about my physical appearance, I try to make up for it with my attitude. I still think that a pretty face is not just enough.
I would love to hear you play! Words could make or break and kids really appreciate those nice words said to them. You know, I think, sometimes the mirror on the wall could be deceiving. ^_^
This was 22 years ago. Now even other people’s mirrors would not say I’m a pianist, lol
argh! so deep…
i never saw myself as beautiful when i look in the mirror. maybe encouragement or the lack of it during your childhood really affect how you see yourself. anyway, beauty outside is just superficial, it will wear out and only the beauty within remains.
Back in college, I was able to convince classmates and friend who other people considered as plain to emerge from their cocoon and win beauty pageants. So use your power to see beauty. Help them out of their shell so the world will see what you can see:-) Happy Easter!
Awesome write up. How I wish I could be like you. 🙂