Mirrors

“I have looked in the mirror so long I no longer see what is there.  I only see what I want to see.  On many days the filters of my mind appear to soothe my ego, yet it is the lack of truth in my vision that blocks any opportunity to grow, learn, and seize the opportunities of the moment.”
 
I’m not sure who first said this, but I know the feelings well.  As I talked with a cab driver recently we shared the perspective of our hopes and dreams for our children.  It was interesting how two men meeting randomly in the course of life shared far more in common than not.  In the midst of the conversation there I found myself circling around three themes.  First, we aspired to live in the presence of each moment, as if there was no time past or future.  This gift was one of the most important “things” we wanted to pass on to our children.  The primary driver came from the opportunities for relationship, living, and giving which only exist in the present.
 
Second, when one is willing to learn anything is possible.  Neither of us understood this to be “many things”.  We believed “anything”, absolutely, totally, and amazingly anything was and is possible!  The key to growth lies in dialogue – listening with the intent of learning.  With this approach one finds themselves seeing through more eyes, understanding with greater intellect, and discovering a well of strength far greater than anything imaginable otherwise. 
 
Third, everything rests on our ability to see things for the way they are.  Look in the mirror!  See clearly.  Welcome the struggle with the aging, imperfections, and flaws.  Take the time to accept the unacceptable. 
 
For far too long I have been blinded to the possibilities.  I don’t want to hear someone say “I still have many things to tell you, but you can't handle them now.” (John 16.12)  I want the truth!  I need the opportunities.  I need to know.  It all starts in the mirror.  In all begins with our acceptance.