I am glad to learn, from various people, that it is at least not annoying when I post self portraits. Actually, you all reminded me of another reason I put up pictures of myself: it helps me be myself online. I know that when I read other personal blogs, I love to see pictures of the bloggers. It makes me feel like I have a peek into his or her world; like he or she is really right there talking to me instead of being just a distant figure. Whatever it is I’m doing here at Lylium, I want to be honest and personal, and I feel like sharing what I look like with you is a healthy part of that. (Like several of you mentioned.)

Another particularly interesting thread of ideas that has come up here in the comments: the vanity (or lack thereof) of art. Philip and Cameron (shrimp), I would have to say that I agree… with both of you. Phil, I think you articulated the God-given nature of creativity very well. He did, indeed, fashion us in His image—a large part of that image being our innate desire to create. But I also have to agree with Cameron that, because of our fallen nature, creation tends to be a self-centered process. Joe put it very well, also: “I have been recently thinking that no act I have ever taken had been wholly without sin twisting it in some way.”

Those were the big things I thought of in response to all of your comments. Here are a few more specific responses:

Ian - That C & H comic panel is a fantastic example. Thanks for sharing.

Ryan - You deliver our paper?? I never knew that. Awesome. You will probably see my light on many a time.

Matt - Don’t apologize, your comment was very thoughtful! I think the tiny comment box just made you feel like it was too long. Lol.

Dan - “It is, tho, just a sip from a sweet spring that never quenches a lifelong need.” Beautifully put. You have captured quite eloquently the essence of most pleasures in this life, I believe. Thank you for your insightful comments.

Joe - I didn’t know you were reading, but it’s good to see you here! (I see from your email address that you are the Joe I know from church. ) I completely agree with your comment—couldn’t have put it better myself.

Vu - Thank you for your kind words, but I am afraid I will have to deny your request. As Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I am not content to always act without ever examining my motivation, as I think none of us should be. Of course, those motivations are so often tangled up with multifaceted desires that I will never completely sort them out—but I think it is important that we try. And I’m afraid I don’t think sin is “small beans” in the long run. I’m not trying to be snarky, I just have to respectfully disagree.

“Bella” - I see from your email address that you are, indeed, the photographer friend who I mentioned at the beginning of this entry. I’m not sure why you are calling yourself “Bellaartgirll,” but I will respect your desire for anonymity. Rest assured, I was not offended or embarrassed by your question about my self portraits. It just triggered more thought on a subject that I had already been pondering. Thanks for your comment! I agree that self portraits can be very interesting from an artistic or philosophical viewpoint. I’m sure I will appreciate them years down the road as a window into my life now.

Phil, I think that art is a proud act. And I don’t think we should stop because of that. We just need to keep it in mind.

Making art and putting it on display is like saying “My art is worth your time, your interest. It’s worth your precious time to view something that I think is important and/or beautiful.”

Art is vain. Artists just have to deal with that.

Please continue to create wonderful work and don’t over analyze or question the reasons behind them ^.^

Of course it is wrapped up in egocentric things. It feels wonderful when someone says you are beautiful, funny, or desirable, or when you receive several hundred E-mails about a story you’ve written, or dozens of comments on photos posted on Flickr. It is, tho, just a sip from a sweet spring that never quenches a lifelong need.

It is interesting, that even in religious contexts, ego is often encouraged to be set aside. An example, giving of gifts. In many Jewish and Christian traditions (as well as others) gifts are encouraged to be given in a way where no thanks can be given - to take the ego out of the giving. The thought is it is a more “pure” form of giving, when it is selfless.

That said, we still have to come to terms with ourself, and with others. And probably only those that can completely accept ego, can accept who they are, are the ones that can best move beyond it.

Good luck on that journey, Erin.

Dan

The deisre to create is a gift of and from God. It is not only an ability he gave to us, but a way we honour him. God created everything, designed the Earth from the magnitude of setting it on its course in the cosmos to the fine hairs on a bee. Our response to that is to create. If we are created in his image then to be like him we also are creative.

If we ignored our creative drive how many pieces of music would be missing, how many great paintings, how many architects? I don’t think we can survive without utilising our creativity, and I think that was directly given from God. It is akin to our ability to rationalize - what sets us apart from animals. Because we can choose to create, and in many different forms, we are unique.

Don’t stop creating.

You gotta show what you look like in the real world, otherwise no one would know who runs this blog … for all thye know it might be a middle-aged dude named Roy who watched the same episode of anime every night!

…. maybe that’s an exaggeration, and didn’t have much to do with your post (because you were talking about the photos being vain, not if you should have them or not .. ) but I stand by my comment. Keep ‘em.