VIRTUES

Driving to work this morning, listening to the BBC1 on satellite, there was a song on by the 70s band, "Looking Glass", I didn't catch the title. I felt that the tone was purely simplistic in nature, and what did the band mean really when they named themselves? I was provoked into a conscious thought that we are all made of glass in a way. Glass, derived from sand usually several thousands of years old... is a staple in today's world. Just as glass, people are panes to which we (if we so choose) can look through, or reflect ourselves with. Were made of small grains of sand known as characteristics. Sometimes our glass is dirty, and needs a good washing - sometimes its clean and clear; so much so that you could walk right through it. But however dirty or clean our pane is, when someone looks at it they can inevitably see their own reflection. I then thought about a old pane of glass my in my grandmothers house, so old in fact that at the top of the pane the glass was thinner. You see... as a glass pane ages in a window frame, the sand settles toward the bottom - weakening the top of the pane - its becomes vulnerable and week. That window still held up due to the strength at the bottom it had built over the years. Although showing its weaknesses in one way, it shows its strength as well. You can still see through it - and it still can cast a reflection. We as a pane also age, and id like to think that we become more comfortable with showing our strengths, and our weaknesses. I think about what a beautiful photo it would have been to have my 80 year old grandmother sitting in front of that old window... both showing strength and both showing weakness... and both being completely content. I believe that one amazing virtue is the virtue of knowing one's weaknesses.