Looking in the mirror the other day I did not like the person looking back. The eyes have some wrinkles under them, there is a bit too much flab under the chin and he did not earn enough money to have the freedom desired. In an instant the attention that was directed was negative and all of the positive things sort of faded away. I am not implying that hatred was seething at the reflection, it was just a oozing mood that meets me whenever I stopped "to reflect".
I spent alot of time thinking about all of the things that I do not give myself credit for and I came up with the following list to organize my thinking.
Money: Okay, so I may not have that mansion near the lake but I do have a roof over my head and a decent job that helps put food on the table. I have to go to work five days a week but that is better than being homeless. I have food in the cupboards and I am not hungry. That must make me better off than a billion or so other people. I am no longer in the military and I do not live in a mud hole eating food that is better left uneaten. I love the gang in the military but I am glad it is not me anymore. I did my time and it was rough, but now I have a life that is safe and dry and filled with non-violent things happening to my buddies. Also, if I were dead that mansion and all the money would not matter. Granted I would love more money, but things aren't as bad as they could be.
Health: I look in the mirror and I see a person that is overweight instead of seeing a person that has been trying to lose weight for for a few months and has actually shed 25.2 pounds! I go to the gym and I wish I could lift more weights and do not realize the gift of being whole. I have all of my limbs and I am generally healthy. How come I do not see that in the mirror?
Family: I heard from my son today (21) and he once again lost his job. I get angry and Mom goes into a panic because she fears for his future. I look in the mirror and see a person who has not been a decent father. Then my daughter (15) comes home from school and tells me she is in duel enrollment and when she finishes high school she will graduate with her college associates degree also. How come when I gaze into that reflection in the mirror I utter no positive emotions for the success of my daughter? Why do I dwell on the negatives and the bad things that go on all around me whenever I dwell at the mirror?
Why is it so hard to look in the mirror and love the person that is looking back? Why is that when you look in the mirror you only dwell on the negative of what you perceive you see? Why is it so hard for a person to look into the mirror and see a person they love? You tell your spouse you love them! You tell your children you love them! You even may tell your pets you love them! ....So how come you can't look in the mirror and tell the reflection that you love it?
Maybe what we all need to do is to stop living in the future and move to the here and now and accept ourselves for what we are at this moment. We all need a little practice to not being so critical of ourselves and when we look at that reflection be able to love the person we see. If you do not love what you see then you need to sort out some issues you are experiencing.
Over Weight? If you see a reflection that you are not happy with then become happy by being able to like the person you see. Remember that the body is only a vessel the spirit travels with while in this world. If you are not happy with the weight then use your mind to control your will and do your best to lose weight and tone up the muscles. If you think that is too hard to do then maybe it is not because you can't but because you won't! You look in the mirror and if you are not happy with the reflection then take a moment to get to know that person better. The person that resides in that reflection needs the attention and time to become what is desired. Take that time to delve into what is causing you to not like what you see. If you are not happy because you see too much flab then maybe that flab is there because the person in the reflection put it there for a reason that has nothing to do with the flab itself.
This reminds me of a story I was taught as a child and I do not know the author (do not credit me) but I want to share the story. The next time you look in the mirror and are so critical of yourself remember the following story:
The Two Wolves
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, 'My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.
One is Evil; It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good; It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
The young grandson thought about this for a minute or two and then asked his grandfather..... 'Which wolf wins?'
The old Cherokee replied simply..... The one you feed!
Keith spends most of his time as a manager in big box retail and when he is not he is tinkering with the internet.
» left by Susan Thom(12,006) Susan Thom (1 year 185 days ago.)
hi mr. keith,
i think this was an honest, well written, interesting and thoughtful article.
it was personal, and i know sometimes that's hard to do. i don't think there's a person on the planet who doesn't know to stay in the day, and enjoy the moment. i wonder how many do?
thanks for sharing,
best regards,
sue Respond to this comment
» left by Steve Radford(1,017) Steve Radford (1 year 185 days ago.)
Keith, This is an article worth saving and re-reading periodically. Thanks for sharing. Steve
» left by Teresa Ortiz(10,987) Teresa Ortiz (1 year 182 days ago.)
Hi Mr. Keith. Thanks for sharing your heart and reminding us to feed the postive thoughts and not the negative. Blessings to you. Teresa Respond to this comment
» left by Mary Fagan(604) Mary Fagan (1 year 181 days ago.)
Oh, the one you feed. How true and simple, yet how easy to overlook. Thanks for the reminder and yes, I hate to admit it but the person I see in the mirror could use a little less chocolate. Respond to this comment
» left by Laura Trahan(38,722) Laura Trahan (1 year 180 days ago.)
Mr. Keith, I can't tell you how many times I face this very issue every day! Thanks so much for the well-written article. I think i will try and remember that story in the morning! Respond to this comment
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