Thought for the day, Monday 20th June

“Dear you,
if you don’t like the way that you look it’s probably because you have chosen the wrong mirror to look at yourself in
stop using other people as a mirror to see your reflection in – especially if that other person is an asshole
assholes make the worst mirrors
they only want to reflect your blemishes
and your weaknesses
and your fault lines
and your sins
don’t blame them for making you feel bad.
you are the one looking for them to tell you how you look
of course, they will tell you that you’re ugly
of course, they will say you aren’t enough
they are assholes – what did you expect?
while we are at it…
stop using your bank account as a mirror
it’s a liar
it doesn’t really show you who you really are
neither does your car
or your grades
or your awards
or your Instagram
or your past mistakes
or your diagnosis
or your late bills
or your failures
none of those things make very good mirrors
If you want to know how you actually look I suggest that you hold a baby for a bit.
Pay attention to how a baby will look at you.
To a baby you are a garden of a million wildflowers.
You are a giant.
You are an ancient warrior protecting them from monsters and uncomfortable rashes.
You fill up their sky like a brilliant supernova.
To a baby laying in your arms, you are both the cradle and the lullaby.
A baby will gaze at you with wide eyes and an uncontrollable smile because they have just come from heaven and they know divinely crafted beauty when they see it.
They see the miracle in you. They see the miracle in you. They see the miracle in you.
Babies make the best mirrors.
Look at yourself the way a baby looks at you.
For too long you have let dirty and broken shards of glass tell you who you are.
Their reflection is corrupt – stop trusting them.
Let the innocent show you who you are.
They see your light.
They see you for who you are:
Capable
Strong
Beautiful
Burning
Blooming
Becoming
in the time you have left
be kind to yourself
and choose what reflections you believe with the utmost care.
See you in September,
you’re going to make it
to see the leaves change
I swear it
love,
your soul.”

John Roedel