Mirrors

Go to a hotel lobby, entryway of a home, or any space designed to welcome people and you will typically be greeted by a mirror.  Presumably it is to allow guests to make an assessment before presenting themselves.  People often take a glance and make the adjustments they deem necessary.  Conduct a quick experiment and watch people as they pass mirrors: almost inevitably they will pause and do a quick inventory.  Without fail, the draw of the mirror lures us in to take a peek.

Ever notice, however, that not all mirrors present a perfect reflection?  In fact, the comedy of most circus fun houses is the distorted mirror room where we take on all shapes and sizes.  The power of a mirror is also why people want a full-length mirror in the closet or bedrooms.  It’s why people strategically place lights near mirrors in bathrooms and why housekeepers are tasked with keeping them clean.  The mirror provides information, so a bright, clean, full surface is desirable.

The reflecting quality of a mirror tells the viewer to pay attention.  Where we place our focus impacts what we process so it is the very reason we should pay attention to the messages we are given.  However, the reflection in the mirror is as useful as what we do with it.  It is only as vibrant as the light surrounding it.  It’s accuracy stems from how clean the surface is and the quality of the materials used in the manufacture of the mirror.  Mindlessly trusting that a mirror provides an image that is reflected with 100% accuracy can limiting, and sometimes dangerous.  Hence, automobile mirrors have signs on them that say, “Objects are closer than they appear.”  The convex design is great for field of view but at the cost of making things appear smaller than they are so the brain believes they are farther away.  The message helps prevent accidents caused by a tool that is intended to benefit the driver. 

We have mirrors that surround us in all facets of life: work, family, medical, personal, faith, and academic, just to name a few.  Some mirrors are unavoidable, but the choice to stare at it is ours.  The decision to internalize parts or all the information is our choice as well.  Fortunately, the placement of other mirrors is within our control.  Select these mirrors wisely.  Do they provide reflections, information, and messages that help you see yourself fully?  Positively?  Accurately?  Can you make the necessary adjustments in your life when you pass by these mirrors?  Better yet, own your own pocket-mirror you can pull out when you want to self-reflect, at it is one of the singular best ways to develop an authentic self-construct and image.

Changepoints:

Find a mirror you use frequently and assess what is impacting the reflection.  Use this experience to ponder:

·        Who are the people in your life who provide reflections that add value to your life?

·        What do you tend to do when reflections, suggestions, or critiques are provided to you?  Does your normal response help or hinder your growth?

·        Which mirrors in your life can be placed strategically so the reflections don’t become overwhelming, addicting, or paralyzing?

·        How captive or free are you from the influence outside reflections in your life have on you?

o   How can you manifest an internal gauge about what you wish to internalize or disregard?

o   How are you developing your own practice of self-guided reflecting?

 

Surround yourself with the right light, materials, and placement so the mirrors in your life create a helpful image.

outSIGHTin, LLC: Creating awareness as a changepoint for improved organizational results.