True Self Caricature

You sit silently, watching the back of the sketchpad tremor as the caricaturist’s hand flits about the front. The artist glances up at your face frequently. They study you – their current model – as they work. Ten minutes after you sat down comes the big reveal. The caricaturist turns the paper to face you.

 

You recognize yourself in the drawing and immediately see what they picked up on. There are your tell-tale dimples. You see the unique angle of your nose. The shape of the eyes is spot on. Some elements stand out more than others. It is definitely a portrait of you.

 

By definition, a caricature is a picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated. The caricaturist typically has a limited time to observe their subject and pick up on what they see as the most prominent features to reflect back to the person. We do it for fun, with friends, on a whim. We enjoy seeing what they may highlight. We laugh at the way our pictures are slightly distorted, yet still recognizable.

 

What if the caricaturist could look beyond the outward physical you? What if you allowed them to follow you around for a day or two at work, at home with the family, and in social situations?

 

The caricaturist I have in mind now doesn’t see your physical characteristics, but rather your talents and strengths, your values and outward presence, and how you represent them to the world. They see where you spend your time and energy. They take note of how you show up day to day.

 

After observing you for a period of time, they pick up the paper and pencil. This time, they sketch the version of you that they witnessed in a variety of real life environments. When the pictures are turned around to face you, what do you see?

 

Chances are you will see many things that you recognize.

 

You smile as you see your family having sit down dinners a few nights a week.

 

Your heart warms as you see a sketch of Saturday’s trip to the food pantry to help hand out donations.

 

Take a closer look. Think about the things that you value and the contributions you feel compelled to make in your life. Find the places where the drawings don’t align with who you know yourself to be. Do this not through a lens of judgement, but through the lens of awareness.

 

You value friendships, yet there you are in the caricature checking your phone during a lunch outing with friends.

 

You love feeling healthy and vibrant, yet you see yourself sitting each evening on the couch with a bag of chips by your side.

 

You have always found joy in working with kids, but the person in the picture sits in front of a computer all day each day.

 

Alignment is about finding those areas where the picture does not depict the true you, and taking steps so that the next time the “true self” caricaturist comes around with their pencil they will draw a more accurate picture. The caricaturist has helped you take the first step in alignment – awareness. Their drawing lets you see yourself as you show up to the rest of the world.

 

I have yet to find this type of caricaturist. But that does not mean that we cannot take this step ourselves. We don’t need to be an artist, but rather an observer. We need to take note of what we do and who we are in different situations.

 

My challenge to you is to pay close attention to your daily self. Put yourself in the shoes of the caricaturist. Observe yourself without judgement, as if your task is only to identify the main themes and unique qualities that you witness.

 

What stands out?

Where do you see yourself spending your time and energy?

When do you play off your natural strengths and when are you playing a role that others set out for you?

Where are you seeing a different person from the outside than the one you know yourself to be inside?

 

Most importantly, revel in your awareness since you have just taken the first step toward alignment!