7 Faces in the Mirror

Mirrors. You love them and you hate them. You can’t do without them yet you want to escape from what they show you. They’re silent, but their message is loud and clear. And they help keep you safe if you listen to them.

 

mirror7 faces in the mirror

 

  1. Teachers. Mirrors teach you about your past. But focus on them and you miss the present and risk the future. Click to tweet quote. Life gives you all kinds of experiences; some pleasant, others you’d rather forget. They all serve a purpose on your journey. But if you get embroiled in the past, you miss the opportunities of present moment. You can still reflect while remaining focused on the future.

 

  1. Reflections. Mirrors reflect what you can’t otherwise see, like what’s coming up behind you. They allow you to react appropriately in the present and prepare for the future. Other people mirror back to you what you don’t see ourselves. They provide feedback on how your message is being perceived and whether their response is favorable, neutral, disappointing or hostile. They can also relay whether your message was received as intended.

 

  1. Perception. Lens shape, cleanliness and rain drops act as filters and distort or impair the image you see. Taking the effect of these factors into account allows you to recalibrate and adjust accordingly. Other people form opinions through their own filters and life experiences. While they act as mirrors for you and mean well, they project their own thoughts and fears on you. It does not change the amount of personal power you have. The first voice you listen to must be your own.

 

  1. Perspective. As a rule, street motorcycles have two mirrors. Focus only on one and you miss vital information captured by the other, which could affect your safety. You need to consider feedback from multiple sources to get a complete picture. Ultimately, you take the opinions of others into advisement, and rely on your own intuition to guide you.

 

  1. Focus. Mirrors will reflect whatever they’re focused on. To be of value when you’re riding, each mirror has an ideal vertical and horizontal setting that will give you maximum information on which to base your riding decisions. Opinions and circumstance of other people can distract you from your purpose. It’s easy to get caught up in them without realizing When others are giving you feedback, make sure it’s relevant and aligned with your purpose.

 

  1. Size. Mirrors have to be a certain physical size before they can capture images of any value. They also can’t be so large as to interfere with the aerodynamics or physical displacement of the bike. When you ask for opinions, make sure you’re getting thorough information. If your focus is too narrow, you may not have all you need to make an informed decision.

 

  1. Snapshots. In the end, the message you get back from your mirrors is good, useful information, as long as you remember it’s dynamic and only a snapshot of a moment in time. It will be different the next time you look, which is why you scan your environment, including a mirror check -– ideally every 5 to 8 seconds. Stay aware of what’s going on around you – in your body, mind and spirit. Each require constant attention and care to function at top efficiency and to give you the richest experience possible on your earth journey.

Mirrors are all around you – in every person you interact with. Each one of them reflects a part of you. What strengths and shadows do you see? How will you use that information?
photo credit: marcp_dmoz via photopin cc

About

Author, writer, and student Liz Jansen combines her artistic mediums to create stories that inspire readers to embark on their own journey of self-discovery.