reflections
Thoughts looking back
Reflections are images thrown back by a mirror, water, or other reflective surface: She studied her reflection in the window.
Light and sound reflect similarly—bouncing off surfaces rather than passing through.
Extended to thought, reflection is careful consideration: Upon reflection, I changed my mind.
Reflections in this sense are the thoughts themselves: reflections on mortality, personal reflections.
Something can also be a reflection of something else—an indication or consequence: His work is a reflection of his values.
Sustained reflective attention
- meditationFocused attention practice
- thoughtMental concept or reflection
- ponderingThinking deeply about something
- musingReflective contemplation
soul-searching · self-examination · introspection · rumination · consideration · brooding · retrospection · insight
Reflective viewing surface
- glassTransparent solid from sand
- waterClear essential liquid
- imageVisual or mental likeness
- surfaceOutermost boundary layer
shimmer · glare · gleam · pond · lake · window · polish · shine
Short argumentative prose work
- memoirWritten personal recollection
- musingsLeisurely contemplative thoughts
- observationsNoted perceptions
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
remembrance · reminiscence · account · narrative · retrospective · tribute · eulogy · recollection
Effect on the mind
- indicationSign of what's coming
- signMark conveying information
- representationDepiction or likeness
- manifestationOutward display of something
expression · mirror · embodiment · testament · measure · consequence · result · outcome
contemplation
Sustained reflective attention
- meditationFocused attention practice
- thoughtMental concept or reflection
- ponderingThinking deeply about something
musing · soul-searching · self-examination · introspection · rumination · consideration · brooding · retrospection · insight · awareness
mirror
Reflective viewing surface
surface · shimmer · glare · gleam · pond · lake · window · polish · shine · chrome
essay
Short argumentative prose work
- memoirWritten personal recollection
- musingsLeisurely contemplative thoughts
- observationsNoted perceptions
commentary · remembrance · reminiscence · account · narrative · retrospective · tribute · eulogy · recollection · thoughts
impression
Effect on the mind
- indicationSign of what's coming
- signMark conveying information
- representationDepiction or likeness
manifestation · expression · mirror · embodiment · testament · measure · consequence · result · outcome · judgment
- canal scenesgondolas, barges, canal boats, bridges, towpaths
- lake scenerowboat, canoe, kayak, dock, pier
- dream imagerymelting clocks, nightmare, daydream, distorted faces, soft focus
- Waterside Trailstrails, footpaths, paths, paved trails, loop trails
- opticslens, lenses, mirror, mirrors, prism
- devotional literaturedevotionals, devotions, prayer books, meditations, spiritual exercises
reflectionsabsorptions
Acts of taking in
transmissions · direct light · refractions · shadows · darkness
reflectionsimpulses
Sudden inclinations to act
thoughtlessness · knee-jerk reactions · snap judgments · reactions · instincts
reflectionsoriginals
Authentic first versions
sources · the real thing · direct objects · prototypes · archetypes
- self reflectionExamining one's own thoughts
- quiet reflectionSilent, thoughtful self-examination
- personal reflectionInward examination of thoughts
- deep reflection
- silent reflectionQuiet, internal contemplation
- mirror reflectionLight bounced from silvered glass