“Your perception of me, is a reflection of you. My reaction to you is an awareness of me.” – Unknown.
What do you do when you look at yourself in the mirror?
Maybe you comb your hair or have a shave. Maybe you brush and floss your teeth. Maybe you correct your posture. Maybe you examine the look in your eyes and evaluate your mood. Perhaps you decide to put on a smile. Either way I’m guessing you pay attention. I’m guessing you take the moment to show yourself some love.
When you smile in the mirror what do you see? Your radiant self of course, but is that all?
Can you see your mum and dad? Your brothers and sisters? Your children and grandchildren? Maybe you can see your friends or strangers you’ve never met. Maybe you can see the eyes of millions, generations long since passed, staring back at you.
Look deeply enough and you’ll see far more than meets the eye.
If we look deeply at others we can also see they reflect the world around them. If you smile at them, they often smile back. And if they don’t, we often drop our own. In this case we become their mirror.
This is something to be aware of.
When we are mindless we become the mirrors of others. When others shout and harden their defences, we often do the same in response. Like a mirror image. So often in arguments you hear two people shouting with neither party listening. They might as well be shouting into a mirror.
It’s worth bearing in mind that people don’t just act like mirrors to other people, they often reflect the way the world has treated them. If the world stopped paying attention to them, they may reflect a lack of interest. If it treated them harshly they might act out in kind. The behaviours of someone often mirror something well beyond the person they’re interacting with.
This is something else to be aware of.
This is one reason why we shouldn’t take what others have to say so personally. Why we shouldn’t be so quick to judge. It’s also worth remembering that other people’s behaviour doesn’t reflect in you unless you let it. Unless you act mindlessly.
On the flip side when we are mindful, we can influence what others reflect back at us and the wider world. When we are mindful we can disarm the anger thrown at us. When we are mindful we can stand firm and make sure all that is reflected is love and kindness. It is when others are feeling the most pain and at their most vulnerable, that we have the best opportunity to act as mirrors to the good that exists in all of us.
I believe we should pay the same care and attention we do ourselves in the mirror, to all those we encounter. Show them the same level of love. Maybe don’t start flossing their teeth, of course, but show them kindness all the same. The kindness and love they need. That we all do.
Ultimately showing love and kindness to others is one of the greatest acts of self love. This is because, if you look deeply enough, you’ll see that person is you. And you are them. As one.
It’s nice when we see ourselves smiling isn’t it?
(Thanks for reading everyone. I’m curious, do you believe our inner world is reflected back at us? Do you believe the outer world reflects our inner turmoil? Are our perceptions of others merely a reflection of ourselves? Please let us know below.)
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You can find more of AP2’s writing here at: https://pointlessoverthinking.com
Clear Air Turbulence 
I’ve heard it said that when something in another stirs something within us it it because we also have the same thing residing in us. Hence, we should always look inward rather than outward? 🤗
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Hi normhamilton. Thanks for this. I completely agree – I think it’s extremely important to pay attention to yourself when you’re listening to others. To really examine your own internal reactions and ask the question why? Internal resistance to what someone else says usually means you’ve identified with something that is coming into question/or under attack. Their is an attachment somewhere that needs to be let go.
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Thanks, AP2, for sharing your incredible post! Yup–all the way! Thanks for flossing out attitudes! 🙂
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Thanks, AP2, for sharing your great post! Yup–all the way! Thanks also for flossing out attitudes! 🙂
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Thanks Art. Flossing out attitudes is the way forward 😊🙏
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You’re welcome, AP2. Truly loved your read!
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Powerful and true quote. Our inner states is reflected back in the people we encounter. Its the universe communicating back since it understands one language, that of feelings and they manifest in the physical as people, events and achieved desires. I like your conclusion, we are one.
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Thanks Kevin. Yes that quote resonated strongly with me too. Wishing you well 🙏
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Welcome. Wishing you well to.
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Yes, I believe this, and it’s an important realisation!
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Thank you Ingrid. I believe a strong part of listening to someone is paying attention to how we react internally. Hope you’re well 🙏
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This is quite the wonderful message and so very true. One of the nice things the pandemic has done, at least for me, is I notice people say hello, wave and smile at each other more as we are missing the physically close interactions. And I do notice the little twinkle in the eye when people are greeted or given a small gesture of friendliness.
I also agree that when one is ignored they also become hardened and reflect that back at the world.
We are all very interconnected in this big little world of ours!
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Exactly. I was thinking how great it would be if we all drew a great big smile on our face masks 😷. I feel like that would certainly lift spirits. 😂. Thanks Ab. Wishing you well 🙏
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A number of years ago I got in the habit of silently sending people love. Especially people who were upset or acting unpleasant. Driving down the road, I’m sending love to the other drivers. In the grocery store, I’m sending love to the other shoppers and the workers. I try to make it my default setting out in the world. Even without saying anything, it shifts the energy. All of us just want love. Thank you for this post. I’m sending you love. 🙂
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That’s awesome and thank you! I silently wish people well when I remember although I’ll admit it’s not a habit. But it definitely shifts the energy when I do, as you say. Sending love back to you 😊🙏
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Wow – that is amazing! I feel like I always hear the opposite, with people silently sending out road rage to fellow drivers. That is really incredible that you’ve created this habit of doing the exact opposite!
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Great post! It’s a reminder to me that we need to be kind to each other, as we never know what people are going through. It’s especially necessary at this time when people are so on edge over the Covid situation.
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Hey Lesley. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I agree. We are all feeling on edge at the moment. If we can be the ones to show some calm amidst the storm I’ve no doubt it will help others do the same. Wishing you well 🙏
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I agree. Wishing you well also. 🙂
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Love this post, so true, we often drop our own smiles when others don’t smile back. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thanks Kellie. I was thinking we should a big smile on everyone’s face masks! 😷 That ought to lift moods! 😂 Wishing you well 🙏
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Reblogged this on Love and Love Alone.
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