Today’s topic on symbolism on the Roman God ‘ Janus’  was inspired by a YA book trilogy series I am nearly finished reading 😦 called ‘ The originals’ . Originally, a spin-off T.V. series off the back of Vampire diaries series/books.

His image shows a young child looking to the past and an old bearded man looking to the future.

 Something we can all relate to.

Some images have him depicted as having three heads. Here is why it is interesting to know this

Whenever the symbolism of Janus relates to time, between the past (which is no longer) and the future (which is not yet), the true Face of Janus—that which looks at the present and is supposed to face us—is not shown; it is neither one nor the other of the two we can see.

This third face is, in fact, invisible because the present in its temporal manifestation is but an intangible and imperceptible instant. (This is also why certain languages, such as Hebrew and Arabic, do not have present tense verbs.)

http://www.plotinus.com/janus_copy2.htm

I see this as a rather hopeful symbol as opposed to something sad. It is always better, in my experience, to reflect on the ‘what you can do’ as opposed to ‘the what if’s’. Call me a reborn optimist. I was always a pessimist.

I’ve got my Geek head-on now, Janus dates back to pre-Roman times. So that goes back to the days before the “founder” of Rome- Romulus.

Interestingly, the month of January is named after him so we can see how his duplicitous image has been used as an opportunity for reflection.

He is seen as the door to the past and the door to the future.

I think it so important not to close the door on your past completely because we humans thrive on self refection – well I do.

The past is a great way to reflect -not wallow- at how we might do things differently.

So what is a true reflection?

• Reflecting is thinking about what and how we have done something.

•  It is a way of assessing what has happened and how you are going to go forward and apply this new knowledge to existing and upcoming experiences.

So self reflection is an essential part of learning be it at school or in life.

I know a person who has what she calls “bad luck” in her choice of men. We have had arguments about this.  My argument is always taken bad luck out of the equation. I always remind her that there are good men in the world.

What is it that she may be doing that attracts her to the same type of man. I’ve seen her heart trampled on many times. I might come across as insensitive. I am not. I do give hugs. 🙂

I also say to her,

What good can you take away from this experience for future choices with men?

She always shoots me down and says something like ” not to ever allow another man in my life” .

To me that is a sad prognosis and way to self reflect. Why only take away the negative  lessons away with you?

 Why not try to always take something positive you can take with you on your journey through life from whatever negative experience you have?

How can we use self reflection to move forward on a solid footing?

 Self reflection can help us develop new skills

• Self reflection can develop our strengths and work on our weaknesses

•  By asking questions-we can come to a different solution to a problem

• Self refection is a brilliant and balanced way of looking at our achievements

• Self reflection can help you find out what truly makes you happy and what doesn’t

Reflection requires effort but the long term results are usually worth the initial effort.

It requires us to ask ourselves questions about our beliefs and values constantly and consistently – and try and be objective about the questions we ask ourselves.

THE MESSAGE: It is so important that we understand ourselves first and foremost before we can begin to understand others behaviour and actions around us and what is going on around us.

The past if used in a way to self reflect can become the solid  basis for how we make the transition from the present to the the future.

All this from reading a YA book