We live in an age of 'fitspo' Instagram accounts and "Get a beach body in (insert number of weeks here)" programs. We live in a world that is completely focused on how a physical body looks to other eyes and in the mirror. We spend so much time judging our own bodies, but also judging bodies that we don't even live in. I am as guilty of it as anyone. We experience thoughts that go something like, "I look so fat today. Well, at least my stomach is flatter than hers." Maybe you haven't had that exact thought, but you have undoubtedly had one that is similar. It is simply the nature of our society. As children, we are taught to never judge a book by its cover. Why are we never warned against judging a person by what is in the mirror?
A mirror can show you what your skin and muscle look like wrapped around your bones. A mirror can show you that your stomach might be sticking out a centimeter more than usual. A mirror can show you if your hair is neat or messy. A mirror can show you if you have dark circles under your eyes. There is no doubt, a mirror can reveal a lot.
But, just like everything in this world, the mirror is not perfect. The mirror cannot show the work and sweat that has been put in that has scraped and stretched that skin and grown that muscle. A mirror cannot show you that your stomach might be sticking out a mere centimeter more than usual because you drank a little extra water or enjoyed an extra slice of pizza or because you are a human being whose body does not stay the exact same every single day. A mirror cannot show you that your hair is messy because you just got finished playing soccer or running or trying a new yoga pose or taking a much-needed nap. A mirror cannot show that the dark circles under your eyes are a result of staying up all night to produce a presentation that you felt truly proud of, that you worked so hard on. A mirror conceals so much.
A mirror cannot reveal the type of person you are. The image reflected back says nothing of your character, integrity, determination, or kindness. A mirror does not know of your time spent volunteering, of the random acts of kindness you went out of your way to complete, of the compliment you shared that made someone else's day. A mirror says nothing of your passions and interests. It says nothing of your story.
And while we are on the subject, the same is true of a scale. A scale can only do one thing. It can provide you a number- one that is often inaccurate. A scale does not determine the kind of impact you have on this world.
The mirror can show you how you look, but it says nothing of who you are. A mirror has no power; only you have that.
