Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

The great British poet Samuel Butler once said, “Let us be grateful to the mirror for revealing to us our appearance only.” And this my friends, begs us to think about reflection; not our reflection in the mirror, although that is quite important, but the reflection we cast inwardly upon ourselves.

The ability to reflect is the mark of a cultivated mind; however, the ability to self-reflect and to be aware of one’s behavior is the mark of a wise mind. There is one primordial ingredient in self-reflection, it is humility. The ego must be vanquished so it is not in our way of screaming at us: What about me!!!! It is not about you. It is about your values, your integrity, the way you treat others, your words, and of course, your actions.

I am always amazed when people say one thing and act another way, desperately trying to convince us (and perhaps themselves) that they are being genuine, authentic, true. When I see this behavior my first thought is: I wonder if they are aware… or how unaware they are of the lack of reflection they are exhibiting? 

The art of self-reflection does not happen without persistence and pain. To be able to see our strengths and to be grateful and proud of them whilst being humble takes cultivation, while being honest to recognize our weaknesses and failings and do something about them takes courage. This concept of awareness and self-reflection takes us to BuDhaGirl’s pillar based on the Serenity prayer, for only through the understanding and practice of this prayer (meditation, lifestyle, belief… call it what you will) are we able to act upon it: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

This is self-reflection.