About our physicality it’s often said ‘Your looks don’t really matter’ but to us it’s remained an enigma – why did we and our progeny and theirs, look the way we do ? For a large number of people, there is ‘genetics’ at play establishing clear familial resemblance and taking after their parents and with siblings often having a similar kind of appearance. Yet uncannily some from the same tree do not share the same kind of features.
Imaginative English fiction writers, novelists and storytellers from the good old formula Bollywood films had beaten to death, the theme of identical twins lost in the village fair or separated by an implausible accident, to be united after many misadventures. In fact, old English classics have used ‘Doppelgangers’ to create thrilling stories of identical looking characters and their mysteries & strange mix ups ! Let’s recall the Bard’s ‘Comedy of Errors’, Dickens ‘Tale of Two Cities’ & Hope’s ‘Prisoner of Zenda’ as some.
Sometimes we accost during our travels, strangers who remind us of people we’ve known well and interestingly even those who are fortunate enough to resemble famous celebrities. After indulging in an honest self-appraisal, I’ve come to realize that being born with good looks is like an inheritance rather than a virtue acquired through endeavor. Yes, it starts getting an impact when it’s accompanied by a charm that attracts your attention.
More importantly, it has shelf life as we all get old with time and our looks change from the smoothly youthful to more mature, gaunt and wrinkled. Here again, there are surprises – some look older and some younger & fitter than their peers. This can be partly attributed to good genes but more to good habits, exercise and appropriate lifestyles. The amazing Sophia Loren had said about remaining young ‘It is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and lives of people you love’ !
Today, AI has the tools to make you look they way you wish to – at least on the small smart screen ! The latest creation of me as seen below is quite age appropriate with the right gravitas – even if I’m looking older & kinder !
Working on Living 