Self Portrait

'Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird' is a globally acknowledged and well known work of Frida Kahlo. In Frida's words, "I paint myself because I'm the subject I know best." How deep are those words, and how relevant even after so many generations have passed, so much water has flowed under the bridge.

If one studies the painting carefully, it becomes clear that, all the aspects of the painter's life and personality have been incorporated in it.

Now that's a beautiful thought, you are who you know best. You know yourself more than anyone else knows you, and, of course, more than you know about anyone else. But we often keep losing ourselves to the dilemmas surrounding us. Once in a while, it's important to look into our own life and personality, to remind ourselves of what we are, and where do we stand as a human being.

The blind run for fame, power, money and name, often diverts us from our purposes and personalities. We start losing ourselves to such an extent that we are sometimes unrecognizable to self.

Knowing ourselves comes as naturally to us as our heartbeat, or the breath we take. What complicates the process is our tendency to ignore our truths. Anyhow, it's impossible to stop being who you 'are'.

Thus, the 'Self Portrait' holds an important message for all of us out there, who have stopped being themselves, forgotten who they are,  have ceased to be comfortable in their own skin, or lost track of their own self. A message that assures us of understanding of self, having awareness about our own being, which in turn paves way for self refinement.