06/02/2023
Looking in the mirror goes so much deeper than our physical appearance. I used to say, 'No matter what I do or the decisions I make in life, I need to be good with me when I look in the mirror'.
A family member lent me a poetry book written by Laurie Fischer and published in his book "Musings on a LIfe Well Lived". I suspect he just did not want it anymore after having it on his self for over a year and it was still in pristine condition. But, sometimes what others don't want can become gems to someone else. So, I began to flip through the book and came across the following poem. So powerful and so I thought I would share.
The Image in the Mirror
by Laurie Fischer
Can we look in the mirror
Appreciate, like, and fully understand
The image staring back at us?
Or do we quickly glance away, averting our eyes,
Afraid to look directly at the image with confidence?
Unclear and uncertain, what they think
Of our actions, out thoughts, our lives?
Suddenly, realizing we are one and the same,
If we can not look confidently at the image in the mirror
The time has come to make changes
In how we live out lives.
We need to strive to completely comprehend
Who we are and what we stand for.
Before we can be at ease with the world around us
We must be at ease with the image in the mirror.
Before we can empathize with others,
We must empathize with the image in the mirror.
Before we can understand other lives,
We must understand the image in the mirror.
Before we can love those around us,
We must love the image in the mirror.
Once we are able to look
At the image in the mirror
With love, pride and understanding,
Only then, will we be able
To live our lives to the fullest.
Finally, at the end of the road,
As the sun sets,
When the time has come
For our journey to be completed.
We will be able to look back
Fully acknowledging and appreciating
Who we were and what we lived for.
Knowing we have lived a life worth living
Both for ourselves and for so many others
Who shared our journey.