courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net (Stuart Miles)

Pick up the mirror! I’ve heard this slogan a few times at a support group meeting I attend and it has really stuck with me.

How often am I studying others with a magnifying glass, noticing all the little details that I’d like to change or improve.

But when reminded to lay down that tool and instead pick up the mirror and study my own flawed image that’s quite another story.

Of course this saying applies to more than my face or makeup. It reminds me to take a good hard look at my character, my virtues and vices, and my attitude toward myself and others.

It always surprises me how quick I am to judge clothing and makeup choices, the words people say, their behavior and their outlook on life.

I don’t think of myself as jealous or judgmental but maybe I am at times without even realizing it because I hang on to the magnifying glass instead of picking up the mirror.

I’m going to pay attention this week to myself and my choices and behaviors and trust other people to take care of themselves. They don’t need any help from me unless they ask for it.

It’s not easy to look in the mirror. But I’m going to do it anyway and hope that by the end of the week I see a reflection of my kind and loving self that no longer needs a magnifying glass except to read a recipe!

“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.” (Matthew 7:1 The Message)