When you look into the mirror, what would you like to change? Your nose? Your mouth? Your freckles? What about when you don’t like anything you see? Do you wish you were someone else?
That annoying inner voice tells you that you aren’t smart enough, pretty enough, or tough enough or simply enough. But, who is speaking to you? Who is that person in the mirror staring at you? Criticizing you? Judging you?
Why do we do this to ourselves? The negative feelings we create impact our immune system.
The mirror is a reflection on how we value ourselves. Women usually have negative self-talk about their bodies: I'm too heavy, my nose is too big, my hair is a mess, etc.
It looks like the solution to better self-esteem isn’t how much or little we look at ourselves, but our attitude about what we see. The connection between what we see and how we think about ourselves, is the link we need to break. — That’s a much harder journey than just throwing your bathroom mirror in the trash!
What are our thoughts as you're sneaking a peek. Is it possible to look in the mirror, clear our mind, and have no thoughts at all? Can we change a critical thought with a positive one?
This inner voice has the power we give it. We need to take back that power and regain control.
We all doubt ourselves at one time or another. The temptation to believe that we are not enough or that we somehow “must” be so much more, plagues us.
According to the Wikipedia, self-acceptance is an individual's satisfaction or happiness with oneself, and, is thought to be necessary for good mental health. Self-acceptance involves self-understanding, a realistic, but subjective, awareness of one's strengths and weaknesses. It is an agreement with oneself to appreciate, validate, and support the self as it is, despite deficiencies and negative past behavior.
Sally Field once said: “It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else’s eyes.”
Hopefully, there are days when we look at ourselves and say, “Maybe I don’t look so bad today”. But, then there is something that comes from out of nowhere and tries to suppress the good thoughts.
The first step on the journey is when we’re able to look in the mirror and see goodness and believe it.
When we accept who we were yesterday, and, who we are today; then we can create who we will be tomorrow. "Whatever kind of life I've lived so far, it was my life. All the moments of my life have come together to make me who I am." With that thought, you can accept all the times, situations and people of your life with a positive attitude, and, when you embrace who you were in all those moments, who you were yesterday; and today, a door opens leading to who you will be tomorrow.
The power to resolve the problems we face in life is found in accepting, loving, and trusting ourselves. This is an important mind set to help fortify health and wellness.
“Are you telling me to acknowledge and accept my inadequacies?” Yes! Self-acceptance is not resignation and giving up. It is a positive attitude that begins with having a true feeling of yourself-as you are!
Self-acceptance is steady and unconditional. You accept yourself despite your flaws, failures, and limitations. You are more self-forgiving and let go of self-judgment. Instead of comparing yourself to others, positively or negatively, you appreciate your singular individuality. You feel that you are enough, without having to improve upon yourself. This attitude produces chemical changes within the body which have a positive effect on the immune system and therefore our health.
Self-acceptance is like the Mirror of Authenticity. This mirror shows the reflection of yourself when you feel no one is looking -- your true essence.
“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn’t try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn’t need others’ approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.” Lao-Tzu
Ernest Holmes says: “Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it.”
“Notice when you drive home today that you've got a big windshield on the front of your car. And, you've got a little rearview mirror. The reason the windshield is so large and the rearview mirror is so small is because your past is not as important as what's in your future.” Joel Osteen
“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours – it is an amazing journey – and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.”
Bob Moawad
Controlling your mind, that third leg of the stool, develops unconditional love for yourself, brings forth a greater potential of health and wellness and is the secret to a long, healthy, happy life!
References:
https://medium.com/the-mission/how-to-look-in-the-mirror-and-see-greatness-9b03c3f06f75
https://www.whatiscodependency.com/selfesteem-selfacceptance-self-love-self-compassion/