When words are not an option to describe someone what else might one use to represent themselves? In some ways each individual has little qualities that define them as a person and distinguishes them from other people. But also images can play an important part of telling a lot about someone because there is always a story behind an image. Many images come to mind when thinking of things that represent who I am. The imagery | would include in my metaphoric portrait would be a stage, Disney World, and a plane.
Generally, the stage is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of a metaphoric image that represents me. During high school, I was very involved in the theatre department and always felt I could express myself when I was onstage. At that moment being on the stage with the hot lights burning down on me made me feel invincible, because I could be whoever | wanted to be. When acting onstage I was in a whole new world where we brought stories alive by connecting with each other and also the audience. There was never time to think, everything was in the moment and always spontaneous.
Even if none of the stories were true we created an environment where it was real to us and something that we truly believed in. This experience allowed me to escape from the dark realities of life. Whether it was the passing of a loved one, financial struggles, or family conflict I always had an outlet to get away from those problems when I was onstage. The amazing thing about the stage is that before the start of a production it is bare, a blank canvas ready to be transformed. Once the production is started there are all kinds of opportunities for the performers to make art.
The stage represents me in that way because I’m always trying to reinvent myself and make new memories. In addition, Disney World is another image I would include in my metaphoric portrait. When I think of Disney World I see it as this monument that has a place in all childhood memories. These memories include a lot of happiness and most importantly, fun with the family. After all of the time that I took trips to Disney, I can still clearly see the smiling children gushing over their favorite Disney characters and the equally excited parents who had to speed walk just to keep up with them.
Another memory that is evident, is that feeling of nerves a person feels when they’re about to get on a scary rollercoaster, but also that feeling of accomplishment that comes after once they’ve conquered it. Disney World represents home to me not only because of the great experiences that come with it, but because it is located in my hometown Orlando. I have to admit I do miss living there and knowing that Disney World is not too far away always gives me an excuse to visit. As a kid, I would always go on trips to Disney World and its image is a fond reminder of all those happy memories and easier times.
Finally, the last image I would include in my metaphoric portrait would be a plane. A plane in my eyes is a symbol of traveling. I’ve never been on a plane before but I can only imagine how exhilarating it must feel when the plane is speeding down the runway like a bullet, as it is about to take off. All my life all I’ve wanted to do is travel and see the world. For as long as I can remember I’ve always been used to one thing and seem to stick with the same repetitive routine. I rarely step out of the set routine that consists of my life.
In other words I stayed inside the box, never going forward or backward just staying in the same place. Over the years I realized that I didn’t want my life to stay in the same place never growing or improving, I wanted to get out there and see what the world has to offer. For me a plane not only represents traveling, but also freedom, freedom to take a path wherever one chooses to go. The image of a plane represents me because it is always going to new heights with different places and that is something I aspire to strive for in my present and future.
On October 10th I will be going a plane for the first time and hopefully it will be the start of broadening my horizons. Overall, the imagery I would include in my metaphoric portrait is a stage, Disney World, and a plane. All of these images each represent a small part of me whether it is reinventing myself, representing my hometown or future goals I have for myself. With that being said every single one of these images make up a part of me and who I have grown to become to this day.
