What do you see when you look in the mirror? We’re not talking about your hairline, or how your nose is shaped, or scars that you might have accumulated throughout your time on this earth. We’re not talking about how you are dressed, or how sore your lips might be from that winter morning breeze, or the bags under your eyes that could signify a night of tossing and turning.
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We’re talking about how you regard yourself in the first instance. Would you classify your thoughts as positive? Negative? You can only really truly know this when you’re staring yourself in the mirror. In fact, it can be truly worthwhile thinking of this, because it can help you start to pay attention to your self-talk and then take measures to improve it.
After all, the only way we can be the best men we could ever be is if we look in the mirror and see no enemy. That is the only way you can trust yourself and start to befriend yourself. Because if you can’t be friendly to yourself, how can you expect others to be? Let us help you towards this end:
The Man In The Glass
A famous yet still underrated poem, penned by Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr. articulates this perfectly. Consider your own reflection as you read these lines: “When you get what you want in your struggle for self, And the world makes you king for a day, Just go to the mirror and look at yourself, And see what that man has to say.” “For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife, Whose judgment upon you must pass, The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass.”
“He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest, For he’s with you, clear to the end, And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test, If the man in the glass is your friend.” “You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years, And get pats on the back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartache and tears, If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.”
This cautionary and encouraging tale can correct us when we’re thinking of missing our personal training meeting, or when we threw harsh words towards our family. Keep that sentiment with you, and you’ll find inner strength.
Mind Your Self Talk
Mind how you speak to yourself. Are you combative, uncaring, judgemental? Or are you caring, interested, giving yourself the mini-pep talk and the equivalent of mental finger guns? When it’s just you and the mirror, you’ll know what you need to work on.
Give Yourself One Compliment And One Assertion
Tell yourself one thing that you are proud of yourself for, no matter what it is. Then, tell yourself one thing you are going to change or achieve that day. If you do that each day in the mirror, you’ll be placing your own daily review as an objective reality you can’t avoid. This is otherwise known as the ‘carrot and stick’ approach, and should remain the most useful element here.
With this advice, you’re sure to see your truth when looking in the mirror.
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Great reminder for us to be ‘our own best friends!’
Very solid advice! I’m assuming it works for women as well??? 🙂