Greet Your Own Reflection

I had a couple instances this past week where I caught myself being judgmental of other people. I was blaming them for random things, making them wrong, complaining in my head, etc.

You know what I mean?

I used to blame and judge people all the time, even when they didn’t do anything! I would hold on to my view that I was right and they were wrong. It impacted me more than anything or anyone else– I would feel angry, resentment and ultimately sadness and loneliness.

This time I didn’t hold on to the judgement for too long. I breathed, pulled out my personal development tools and looked within. When I did this I saw the judgement for what it really was: a reflection of judgement towards myself. I was judging myself for my own insecurities and disappointment.

✨Our view of others is a reflection of ourselves✨

When we are confronted by a person or external circumstance, it’s easy to want to blame them and push emotions away. However, these experiences are our biggest teachers and opportunities to heal and grow.

It takes something to live with this awareness and intention. Here are some steps to greet your own reflection and transform judgement into power:

🪞 Notice the judgement. Catch the thoughts. Bring awareness to it.
🪞 Allow yourself to feel any emotion that shows up.
🪞 Look within at what’s really there for you. What is hurting? Be super honest and vulnerable with yourself.
🪞 Take ownership of it. You no longer have to blame others for your own insecurities.
🪞 Forgive yourself and let go of any shame or wrongness that this is showing up for you. 
🪞 Acknowledge yourself for doing this deep work. Know this is part of your transformation and your readiness to be healed.

When you see how this plays out for yourself, the weight and the heaviness dissipates and you will be reconnected with your authentic and loving self.

The time will come
when, with elation,
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror,
and each will smile at the other’s welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.

-Excerpt from Derek Walcott’s Love After Love

Photo by Vince Fleming on Unsplash