The mirror is a reflection of our inner self. When we look into the mirror every day, we admire our beauty, seeing both our physical appearance and our inner strengths. The desire for a flawless face reflects our inner longing to grow, expand, and improve.
Sometimes, we notice imperfections and feel less beautiful. Despite knowing that we can gradually work on these, they become the focus of our attention. In the same way, we often confront our weaknesses and, instead of improving them, we become vulnerable and attract more negativity.
We apply makeup to hide spots on our face, much like how we use ego to cover our weaknesses. Makeup hides not only imperfections but also our true identity, causing us to forget the face beneath. This mirrors our inner selves, where boosting our ego unknowingly hides our original strengths, leading us to identify with a fabricated version of ourselves.
We can choose awareness of imperfections and acceptance of our face as it is while intending to improve. Similarly, we can be aware of our weaknesses, accept ourselves, and believe that our strengths will gradually overpower them.
Makeup can make us forget our spots to the point where we fear to see our bare face. The more we use it, the more we feel the need to keep applying it. Our true face still exists, waiting to be accepted, but we prefer to hide behind makeup. Likewise, by covering our weaknesses with ego, we attract more ego, believing it to be our identity while our true strengths remain buried.
When we fall sick, we dislike looking in the mirror as it forces us to confront our bare face and true identity. This is similar to when our ego is attacked, causing pain and hurt. The fading ego unveils our real self, and the pain allows our inner strengths to surface, presenting an opportunity to let go of ego.
We can appreciate our sickness as it removes the makeup and gives us a chance to see our true face. Sickness acts as a mirror, urging us to face our denial of self. Emotional pain can be seen as an opportunity to recognize our inherent strengths.
As we recover, we often revert to our conditioned mindset and conceal our true selves again. Denial continues until sickness forces acceptance. This moment of self-acceptance is when true recovery begins. In the inner world, once we recover, ego may try to dominate again. It is only after ego’s complete breakdown that we reconnect with our original strengths.
We all have flaws yet are still beautiful. The mirror of our souls reflects what we choose to see. We can see beauty or flaws, making this choice every moment. If we focus on flaws, we see flaws in others. If we reject ourselves, we also reject others. Do we want to live in self-denial? If not, we can choose acceptance now. Accepting ourselves allows us to accept others, seeing and admiring both strengths and beauty.
“So let’s all accept ourselves in entirety of our beings and love ourselves as we are…In self acceptance lies self love…In self love lies the self truth…In self truth lies the universal truth.”
With Love, Vandana
