“We can’t live in front of the mirror, we live in the world — spend your time where you can serve others the most.”
Every one of us takes a moment, or longer, every day looking in the mirror. We rely on our mirror to provide us a preview before we head out the door. While looking in the mirror we also take a moment to critique or evaluate ourselves. These are usually judgmental assessments regarding style, look, weight, health, prosperity or age. If you are like me, you may have reconsidered, even changed the outfit you were planning on wearing once that mirror offered its opinion.
Getting ready for the day can sometimes be a project. When we have a big meeting, a date, or a special event, we may overwork the mirror to make certain everything is perfect. Despite our best efforts, sometimes we run out of time and head out the door not entirely confident we look the way we wished we could or should.
That mirror can be a big distraction. When we look at our reflection, we are not looking at only our exterior appearance; but, we also allow some of our internal perspectives kick-in as well. Have you ever noticed that when you are confident, happy, relaxed, or energized the mirror project is not a big deal. Yet, if you are having a bad day, feeling a little less than yourself, or simply not feeling very confident, that mirror seems to scream out all of your failings, shortcomings, and lack of worth.
The mirror is a reflection of more than how you look, it is also a reflection of how you feel about yourself. When you look at the mirror and allow the mirror to remind you that you are too old, too ugly, too fat, not good looking enough you are empowering the mirror — your perception of self — to distract you from what is really important.
Your energy, your enthusiasm, your passion and your gifts cannot be captured by the reflection in the mirror. These can only be realized and discovered through the celebrations you have with yourself every day about what you accomplished in your active, authentic engagement with others.
The next time you are having an introspective moment — those moments where you are looking in a real or virtual mirror and judging yourself — think about who you are instead of who you are not! Get away from looking and focusing on what you would like to change, alter, or improve and give yourself credit — love yourself — for the greatness that already exists within you. Focus on what you have accomplished that day or in the previous day. Focus on your interactions with others and what you celebrated, enjoyed and offered to others in those moments. Focus on the energy you enjoy being you at your best. Celebrate what you accomplished, not what you didn’t.
Instead of looking at our reflection in the mirror, look out the window and see the world. See the people, feel the energy, and embrace the opportunity to engage. There are plenty of places for us to authentically celebrate and share what we have to offer the world. None of us have the luxury of spending all kinds of time working on making improvements to temporarily alter our appearance, when the world needs the unique gifts, talents, skills and abilities we have to offer right now!
The mirror may offer a reflection, but it is a distorted reflection. The view through the window provides you an complete perspective what matters most! Make a difference, quit getting prepping and critiquing, and engage — the time is now!
