One of the hardest Acts of Love we participate through our lives is the Love we find for ourselves. Not in the way Narcissus became entranced with his reflection, or Echo chose to be accepted by reflecting her lover, but rather true love one finds in their own sense of being. To be happy with who we have  become and where we are going. To love ourselves, even with our flaws, scars, and missteps, for good times and in bad. 

Swans have long been a symbol of Grace, Love, and Authenticity, and most species enter long term relationships with their partners. They often perform mating rituals where they reflect each other, synchronized reflections. Together, gliding in harmony across the face of the water, taking turn leading their waltz. Resonating in balance with their environment. 

Swan Lotus turns that dance inward, down into the muck we find ourselves as we grow forward into this world. This painting pushes out of the mud to finally break through the glass ceiling and dance along the surface. To see our reflection and create a life-long relationship with the person, and love them for better or worse. To learn and transform together into the person we are trying to become. 

Piercing through the mirror, we can be our own worst critic. On one side, we can harness it as fuel to drive us to be better, and on the other it can be the scissors that clip our wings and keep us from flying. Each side can deny the other, go it alone, but a one winged bird will only fly in circles, if at all. You may force one side over the other, but an incomplete shadow will always carry sadness and regret. The goal is to find balance within through empathy and love and accepting yourself for who and what you are. 

Flying forward, the horizon needs to be level, both wings working together. When one finds their way to a centered self, learning how to adjust and maintain that level of awareness through any type of weather, wisdom ultimately emerges like sunshine across the bow.