I Am Embracing Reflection

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied. Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised.” Proverbs 27:19-21

I can look within and find areas of value and improvement.

“When will my reflection show who I am inside…” So, full transparency, I’m a total DisBlerd (a Black girl who totally nerds out on all things Disney) and even as an adult I find value in the lifelong impression that Disney has and continues to make on my life. Like the line I started today’s entry with… it comes from Mulan. If you’re familiar, we have the titular character early in the film making mistakes and not fitting in with what’s normal for a girl of her standing. She deals with the complicated character arch of discovering how to make her personality and passions match with what society has deemed normal and appropriate. And while none of us are required to do a cross dressing gender bend to save a family member from a duty bound stint in the Army… I think we all have had a moment or two where what society said we should or could do didn’t exactly match what we were passionate about.

Depending on who you are and your walk in life, this could be a little true or a lot true about you. Race, gender, sexuality, class, education… they all come into play with what society has decided is normal for centuries and is constantly changing based on what (or rather who) is willing to shake things up. Sometimes we’re fortunate enough to get a Mulan, or a Barack Obama, or a Lizzo to shatter a glass ceiling for us… and sometimes we’re forced to ask ourselves if we’re brave enough or ready enough to be our own hero. I’m here to tell you that you can be your own hero every single day with a little reflection and a lot of affirmation. I know, I know, self doubt and anxiety and the pressures of this world not to break the status quo all make it seem impossible, but it IS possible and I want to affirm you into a place where you can begin to access it.

Affirmation 1: I am Embracing Reflection. The key to changing the world is being comfortable enough with who you are to challenge who they want you to be. And that takes knowing yourself. You have to embrace the practice of getting to know who you are and whose you are and sitting in that. If you like what you see, keep celebrating that person. And if you don’t, reflect on what would make you like what you see and what you can do to obtain that. But always be fair. Don’t set unrealistic expectations for yourself that will constantly put you in a place of despair or self pity for not being “good enough.” At the end of the day, we can only change so much and still be who we are.

Affirmation 2: Value and Improvement can and do co-exist. Nobody is perfect. There’s always going to be an area of growth because we are fluid creatures always changing because our environment and experiences are always changing. But we’re not throwing out the baby with the bathwater because you are a beautiful and intentional gift from God to this world and He intended for you to be here. So make your changes and constantly improve as you reflect but never count yourself out. You have value just as you are. Increase that value.

Affirmation 3: My reflection is for me, not anyone else. Remember how reflection works. It’s the process of looking at YOU… not looking at anyone else or anyone else’s views of you. Be careful not to seek reflection in the words and actions and others. They will let you down every time. Because what they see in you is based on their experiences and perception of you, and while that can be good and helpful as you grow in life and live in this world amongst others, don’t base your satisfaction with self on outside opinions. They will never fully know what you’ve been through because they will never experience life in your shoes or through your lens. Reflect for you. Then others will benefit.

My faves, thank you for getting up this morning and reflecting with me. Thank you for allowing my own self reflections to guide you through yours and to help you on your personal journeys. I had someone ask me a few weeks ago to keep writing because she was definitely reading and I never knew. It was good to hear that I make a difference. And you make a difference, too! I pray your self-reflection will show you how special and unique and valued you are… and I hope my words of encouragement allow you to see it if you’re struggling in that department (we all struggle in that department, just some of us struggle a little more than others). I love you, and as always… I’m rooting for you! Keep conquering daily!