The Reflection in Your Mirror
How many hours a week do we spend looking at some part of ourselves in the mirror? A glance in the morning before hitting the shower; a longer span of time while shaving, putting on make up, or doing our hair; a quick glance before dressing and then maybe another (often critical) look after covering up with clothes that we weren’t so thrilled about when disrobed. Sometimes, we even catch a glimpse of ourselves through reflections in store windows.
But what’s our intention for taking those sneak peeks? Is it to see what we’re putting out there for others to interpret or judge? Is it to assess the progress of our goals and hopes? When we look, what are we truly looking at? The physical manifestation of who we are? Our bodies, our hair, our make up? Our wrinkles or lack of? Our clothing and its fit upon our bodies? The weight we’ve gained or the weight we’ve lost? Most importantly, how do we come away from those episodes with the mirror? What emotions have been evoked? What results have been brought about? What does it do for the rest of our day?
Are we really noticing the most important aspects of ourselves being reflected back at us? In focusing on the physical, what other parts of who we are are we overlooking? When we take a moment to really look at ourselves without the typical expectations of what we’ll notice, we can begin to see a whole different aspect of what’s being reflected. We can deepen our knowledge of ourselves and who we are. Some of those things will be pleasing and motivating while others may be difficult to acknowledge and may not evoke such pleasant emotions. Regardless, there is nothing more empowering than seeing yourself for who you truly are. Once aware, the healing can begin and steps can be taken to become exactly who you always believed you were meant to be.
If interested, I encourage you to do the following exercise. Look into a mirror (a hand held one will do) and focus on your face only. Allow yourself to notice your physical facial characteristics. Then keeping your focus on your face, let your vision become somewhat of a blurred gaze, as if you’re looking beyond your focal point. Notice impressions you get about what is being reflected back at you now. You may be surprised at the results. Let your mirror be your guide in helping you to accomplish your goals by being exactly that which you want to see reflected back at you.
This entry was originally posted on January 26, 2011.