From an early age kids are fascinated with mirrors. Put a mirror in front of a baby and watch their joy and curiosity in discovering their own reflection. I've always been fascinated with mirrors and the power they hold over us.
This weekend I realised I have a lot of mirrors in my place. Yep. I think it could be a thing. I remember one of my boarding school bedrooms that had a mirror as you walked out the door. Every time, without fail, I would do the old point, wink and click. As an adult, I dream of a wall of mirrors so I can watch myself dance. As a matter of self improvement, you understand. Mirrors are a part of my life. You see it all. The good - the not so good. It's all on show and I like to watch. Mirrors have given me the opportunity to practice my smile for the camera. They've been witness to tears. They have been there to document my weight loss. They have watched me grab rolls of fat in moments of self loathing. Find me a woman who hasn’t once complained and scoffed at herself in the mirror over her imperfections.– Throwing criticism around casually - picking herself apart. Letting the mirror have the power over her feelings. Sometimes that has applied to me.... But, for the most part, when I'm looking in the mirror I’m usually imagining the Kool Aid Man bursting through my wall. OHHH YEAH!
Call me big headed if you will, but that's not the case. I choose to feel beautiful. It's as simple as that.
And we keep looking in them because we want to see our beauty, our strength and our flaws. We look into them because we need to see what's reflected in the world around us. And sometimes we don't like what we see. Imagine if you used the energy you spent hating yourself in the mirror, and simply loved yourself. What could change in those moments – over days, weeks, months, years? Would it be possible to start feeling beautiful, where you once felt disgusting? Undesirable? In my mirror I see a woman who has suffered. Loved. Struggled. Succeeded. I see a woman who knows what she wants and who is prepared to get it. I see kindness. I see determination. I see bravery and loyalty. The smile on my face and the light in my eyes. Don't get me wrong, I see the physical imperfections too... but I choose not to dwell on them. No mirror will ever know the full picture anyway... because it's not only about what you see, it's about what you feel. And I wake up every morning and FEEL beautiful. Not because I am the most exquisite creature on earth (although let me know if you disagree!) but because I choose it that way. What's your relationship with the mirror? I hope you can look yourself in the eyes and surrender to the person inside telling you you're not enough in some way. You are always enough. I hope you can look at that person looking back at you and love them with all your heart. And if you don't.... I hope you're lucky enough to meet a person who will be a mirror in your life. Someone who will help you see what you can’t from your own perspective. I hope that you will find someone who will give you the answers the mirror never does, or at least, wants to explore the questions with you. And some people come into our lives, with their own brilliant perspectives. They make us question if we need all our mirrors, but they still hang them up for us anyway.
2 Comments
sabrina
1/9/2015 03:20:20 pm
Thank you. For being you, standing tall & showing the world your beauty!
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Amanda B
2/9/2015 03:23:08 pm
You are an amazing woman! I admire your strength, courage and beauty!
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About meMother, creative strategist and health & happiness advocate. These are my personal ramblings.. Archives
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