Monday Musings Part Four: Mirror of Our Lives
Mirror of Our Lives
When I first came across the teaching that if somebody judges me, it is their problem not mine, I thought: What on Earth? In some indignation, I spluttered, ‘Of course, it’s my problem!!’ After all, it’s about me, isn’t it?
Wrong. It’s about them. Any time we judge a thing or another being, we actually show more about ourselves. Our judgements hold up a huge mirror in front of us and show us exactly who we are.
More often than not, we project our perception onto the external situation. We make up a story about an event or person. The particular slant we put on it shows who we are at our core.
This ties in to last week’s Monday Musing, Let it Go. If we can accept something for what it is, we can see more clearly what’s going on, instead of only being able to see the stories we tell ourselves—the judgements we put on it.
Actually, today’s reflection (if you’ll pardon the pun) ties in to all of the Monday Musings so far. It’s about being in this moment right now, exactly as it is, without dressing it up or colouring it with memories or future projections. Without making up a story. With no position to defend. Anything else just coats our mirror in dust, and all we can see is the grime, not what’s actually there beneath the muck.
I don’t know about you, but I want the mirror of my life to be as clean as possible. That way, I see as clearly as I can and am able to make better choices as a result. Also, I suffer less. When we see things just as they are, it’s so much easier to just accept them as they are.
I can’t get away from my mirror. It comes with me wherever I go. So, I may as well use it. If it’s full of rubbish, it won’t do me much good. If I have to lug it around with me, I have enough baggage without adding yet more. What would be the point in obscuring the reflection? What good would that do anyone?
Life is what we make it. Our mirror just shows us what we’re making. In the wise words of Zen:
‘Life is like a mirror. Smile at it, and it smiles back at you.’
If you’ve missed my previous Monday Musings, you can find the links below:
Nice post! I think I’m learning as I get older to not let other people’s judgments bother me so much. I also know that I have a tendency to judge others, especially with respect to politics. I’m trying to let go of that. It’s a challenge.
Thanks, Ann Margaret! It’s lovely to see you. Yes, that judging thing is a tricky one 🙂