Reflecting On the Past, Moving Toward the Present

I like to reflect on things in my life, things that I have done whether it was for the good or not so good. I might reflect on a conversation I recently had. Did I communicate thoroughly, or was there a misunderstanding? I might reflect on the last year, how many good days did I have compared to bad days? Or I might reflect on the person I am, how I became this person and why I am the way I am.

I tend to be hard on myself, and chide myself for not being better, stronger, more sure of myself.

Reflecting is like looking into a mirror, not necessarily for blemishes, or smeared lipstick, but something deeper, tangible, important enough to reflect on. When you look into a mirror, what do you see? Who do you see?

I want you to look a little deeper, past the outer layer of your skin, into a deeper part into yourself. Something you may protect others from seeing.

It is hard to see myself that deeply without misting up, random and fast thinking thoughts passing through my head. Some are positive and some are not.

I feel it is cleansing to reflect on the beautiful person you truly are. Before you deny yourself that compliment, allow it to penetrate into your soul. You are beautiful, inside and out. So what if you made mistakes in the past? We all have made mistakes and probably will continue into the future. But for now, I want to you to reflect on the past, and put something beautiful in place of the pain or hurt you may have.

My childhood was difficult but one thing I can say is it made me who I am today. I like to think this is what I got out of it: I like to travel with my husband, take too many photos (that is what my family thinks, but I do not), help people feel comfortable, show my creativity in any way, shape or form, and I like cats, and sometimes dogs too.

Tell me about yourself. Who are you today? What made you that way?

While reflecting on our past, we can move toward the present with the beauty, the creativity, the logic and the tools God gave you, that is only for you. You are only one person, a person God created for this time, this place, this reason. You are special.

The next time you look into a mirror and feel negative thoughts ready to flow out of your mouth or an eyebrow pointing down, reflect on God and the positive things he has done in your life and how you can use those tangible things to reach others with love and encouragement as God has shown you.