A friend reminded me of the natural disconnect between our heads and bodies. We both recognized that while our minds remained eternally young, our bodies in the present proudly wore the wear and tear of age. Additionally, we rarely moved beyond the challenge of how we saw ourselves in the mirror.
As we laughed at our inability to see things honestly, I realized how rarely it was to ever see myself clearly in the moment. My rose-colored glasses work just fine, thank-you! While it feels good to think I am still in my twenties, able to run marathons and more, it is not helpful in facing the challenges before me.
Whispers from life remind me of embracing truths is often the beginning of wonderful possibilities.
In every moment, seek to see with clarity. If one does not know or is not sure, ask! If the mirror is not clear, take time to clean the view before proceeding. Denial does not improve one’s vision. Ignoring the truth does not remove the obstacle. Letting one’s bias shape a conclusion is not the best answer.
Seek to find limits, boundaries, and edges. Growth and learning are possible when one uses today’s starting point. Pushing the edges can be successful if one is on a supporting foundation. It is dangerous to presume, especially when one uses the myths built in our memories. Failure is highly likely when I ignore my limitations.
If one can see the edge, or if one is unsure, start by asking for help. I find that when I start by asking another, I begin life more clearly. The fog in my mirror gets a little bit clearer. The bias and blindness which comes with it begins to lose the grip it has on my thinking.
I read and reflect on the psalmist’s plea, “Help, God – the bottom has fallen out of my life! Master, hear my cry for help!” (Psalm 130.1). Looking back, it is likely he waited too long to ask. The good news is that Divinity stands ready to act, late or not.
