Believing Mirrors

(Dedicated to “The Tribe”)

Early on in my life as a creative, I learned about “believing mirrors,” those people who see in us and reflect back to us our true selves and encourage us on our way, but it was another thing to encounter such “mirrors” first hand. I recently visited some wonderful creative people I met a year ago and realized each one of them sees in me something I don’t and reflects back to me things I never thought possible. The experience was disconcerting. In fact, I was tempted to look behind me each time they talked to me thinking they were talking about someone else! It made such an impression on me that I wanted to share it with this small but loyal reading family.

Have you ever had, or do you have now, anyone you consider a believing mirror? They’re the ones whose gaze penetrates your soul and whose smile invites you to take a deep breath. They’re the ones who are curious about what you are up to and don’t let you dismiss their inquisitive questions. They’re the ones who remind you of what you have done in the past when your confidence is running on fumes, and the ones who dream dreams in a way that invites you back into the sandbox to build magical kingdoms. Believing mirrors put air in our tires and fill our tanks in ways that propel us beyond our limited horizons.

At some point today, take a moment and think about people you have, or have had, in your life who are/have been believing mirrors. Get specific. Remember the precise moment they reflected back to you who you are and who you could be. Let the gift of such people fill your soul with divine gratitude.

Then, ask yourself if you’ve been such a person to someone else? When and to whom did you offer such life-giving reflection? Who is in your life right now who could use such a person to encourage them on their way?

I think I’ve reached that stage in life when I only want to concern myself with what truly matters, and surrounding myself with people who are believing mirrors, and trying to be one too, is a step in that direction.

Regardless of what stage of life you are in, I hope you’ll come along.