Chances are when you look in the mirror or see your reflection in the glass door entering a store, you check your hair, your outfit, or if you have just eaten, check for food between your teeth. At other times, you are watching yourself wash your face, shave, brush your teeth or hair- mostly with a critical eye. Few people I know can stand in front of the bathroom mirror and see love. I have practiced, but that practice takes diligence. Most of us were not raised to love ourselves- the selves of our heart. That was pride and not good. So now just looking without judgment is difficult. If I am not careful, I still look critically. Wrinkles worse? Eyes puffier? Face fatter? I avoid looking into my eyes unless I am concentrating on it. It is habit. It is what has been reinforced through social interaction. It is easier for me to close my eyes and feel with my heart. Have you heard messages like “the eyes are the gateway to the soul”? That reminds me that it is worthwhile to keep them open and to look deeper.

Yesterday on Facebook, there was a link to see what had become of child actors. There was a like- thumbs up button and a dislike, thumbs down at the top when I clicked to see the first one. By the second picture and comment it was clear that the whole thing was how unattractive they had become! I was about to hit the thumbs down button thinking it was to comment on the article that was criticizing the faces of all these people, when I realized you were to judge the people themselves! Thumbs down- you grew up to be an ugly adult. I was incredulous. Judgment from one snapshot and all these people had no trouble doing that. Even more incredulous. What a horrible way to use social media.

To clear this negativity that surrounds us, we have to persevere in loving our true selves and encouraging others to do the same. Respect, kindness, consideration, support, fun and pleasure come from love. We all have that within for ourselves and others. With those emotions that spring from love we find joy. Gratitude comes from love and brings happiness.   All bring peace.

So back to your reflection. Can you look in the mirror, a glass door, a puddle, a pool and see your true self of God? Do you see love- respect, kindness, consideration, etc.? Are you joyful looking at you, not because your hair looks good or the pimple is gone, but because you see and feel love? Feeling good within your own body begins with loving yourself. Have you ever been praised for what you have accomplished and who you have become? Did you become someone new or are people just discovering what is awakening in you that was there all along? Are you discovering that as well? Loving yourself allows you to know yourself. It begins with love.