The Brain and The Looking Glass

We typically look into a mirror to get a good shot of ourselves as we, well, style our hair, apply makeup, check for anything odd that may be sticking between our teeth. After all, isn’t that what mirrors are for? To take a quick glance to ensure we’re put together? But when was the last time you looked in the mirror and smiled at who you saw? That you approved yourself? That you were comfortable while wrapped inside your skin? Our brains are the collection center of data of all the things we’ve heard about ourselves either by others or from our own thoughts. When we’re judged by our looks, our accomplishments, our status in society, our brain records the information and instantly searches for that file whenever we need it. So if the person we see in the mirror doesn’t make us proud, the brain will find the appropriate file and begin to recite from it, saying “Disappointment. Failure. Loser.” The wonderful news about our brains is that the contents of the files can be changed. Want to change your files? Let’s discover how to do this by taking lessons from a few quotes of a childhood fave, Winnie the Pooh.

Zig Ziglar: Put all excuses aside and remember this: YOU are capable.

What matters most: “You can’t help respecting anybody who can spell ‘Tuesday’, even if he can’t spell it right. But spelling isn’t everything. There are days when spelling ‘Tuesday’ simply doesn’t count.” We can dump unnecessary pressure upon ourselves because we think it’ll motivate us. But does that path really matter? Is it the right way? Focus on the things your heart finds endearing—they’re called “matters of the heart” and they shall not deceive you.

Self-understanding, self-acceptance: “You never can tell about bees.” When we work to understand someone/something, then acceptance automatically follows. To see the real YOU in the mirror can become an adventure to understand your true potential. To accept that you are far more capable then you perceive. Be still with yourself. Listen to your heart. Does it yearn to stop working through lunch hours? To step outside and hear anything but the ringing phone, fingertips clicking along the keyboard, eyeballs drying out from the monitor.

Improvement: “If you want to make a song more hummy, add a few tiddely poms.” Take a risk. Embark upon a path that you would normally shy away from. Take that risk. Follow your heart. Create a “new” normal for yourself. Only then, can the right people enter your life—those who have the capability to promote you, to mentor you, to hold the pieces of your dream together until they form into promise.

Les Brown: Someone's opinion of you does not have to become your reality.

Kindness: “Just because an animal is large, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t want kindness—however big Tigger seems to be, remember that he wants as much kindness as Roo.” Want to enlarge your capacity to be kind to others? First, be kind to yourself. Cut the same amount of slack you give to others. Don’t rob yourself of the gift of kindness. When we can grow within the warmth of self-kindness then we are ready to give some of ourselves to those who are likely to respond positively and grow our self-esteem.