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Friday, March 26, 2010

Small Essay- Ceci n'est pas une pipe


Presumably the most famous pipe in 20th century has a caption associated with it, “Ceci n'est pas une pipe”, the artist, Margritte has justified the statement by saying “it is not a pipe; it is an image of pipe, try filling it up with tobacco”. Margritte, I think was trying to make a point that no matter how realistic your paintings or portrayals are, they can never really be “real”. Quite profound thought I must say; a thought which can be so easily experienced and tested by almost all of us in our day to day lives.


It also underlines another famous and cliché quote “Looks can be deceiving”, so next time when you get swept off your feet by someone or a thing, just hold on a second and remind yourself “Ceci n'est pas une pipe” which will allow you to take a moment and try looking through obviously charming exteriors!!


Yours Truly,

A Phoenix

Small Essay- Compassion


As humans we are supposed to be compassionate about others’ adversities and predicaments, but is it empathy or sympathy that determines compassion, I have noticed a very few people can actually distinguish between the two, most of them would tell you the different meanings, but as to present or emulate empathy or sympathy, they are mostly baffled.


Empathize: (verb) understand and share the feelings of another

Sympathize: (verb) agree with a sentiment or opinion


As the most of us can “see” there IS clearly a visible, tangible and yes behavioural difference between these two (though these two are so often used interchangeably). To me, compassion is not sympathy but empathy which gives us the unique ability to feel the other person’s pain, a hurt person does not need sympathy or pity, he/she needs empathy which helps to digest the horrible feeling of loneliness and gives us the hope that “we are not alone”

So next time onwards, if you feel like showing compassion, practise empathy, not sympathy


Yours Truly,

A Phoenix