Entry #6: A Direct Reflection of Yourself

Look in the mirror and what do you see? What you see is a direct reflection of yourself, correct? What if I told you that you do not just see yourself in the mirror, but actually see a direct reflection of yourself everywhere you look? You might ask how? Let me explain.

It all started about a year and a half ago, when The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz, was brought to me. To this day, this is still one of the most influential books I have ever read, anyways, in this book Ruiz talks about the four agreements to live by and the second agreement refers to not taking anything personally, and for the longest time, I took so many things personally when in reality all those things had nothing to do with me.

I’m bringing this up because there was this thought that Ruiz brought up when talking about this agreement. He ties in this concept, that for the longest time I had a hard time wrapping my head around, until now. He was talking about what you see and hear in other people’s words and actions is actually a direct reflection of yourself. Reading that portion of the agreement almost made my head spin because I thought, “What do you mean what others do and say is a direct reflection of myself? I don’t think a person who calls me stupid is a reflection of myself.” But, now I fully understand what he meant by that.

Still a hard concept to understand? Let me break it down from my own experiences. Now keep in mind these are my experiences and what I took from them after reflection. Ever since I read The Four Agreements I like to think I do not take things personally, but there are moments when it hits me at my core. A couple of months ago I met this person. I was around them for a little less than a week and we shared a couple of laughs and had some good conversations. I gave this person a fair shot to try to get to know them as I do with everyone I meet. But it was not necessarily reciprocated, which is fair, but no reason to be so quick to judge my character and the type of person I am.

This person had quite the opinion about me, saying that I had poor manners, talked over everyone, and only talked about myself. I did not want to take this to heart at all because maybe they have their insecurities and was just projecting them onto me, but me being me I decided to do some introspection. Yes, I should not take this personally, but there was a buzzing in me wondering “why was this shown to me now, what exactly am I looking at?”

Nothing came to me right away, but after I was no longer in the vicinity of them, it hit me. All the things this person said were things that I usually worry about or am aware of when meeting new people. I get worried about being rude, not letting others speak, or when it’s my turn to talk to ask others about themselves. Along with that I also realized that I need to protect my energy and be aware of who I want to be around. I learned that I do not want to be around people who are quick to judge and are always making negative comments, so that was a plus in this situation.

Now, I could be contradicting myself, but I have let the thoughts flow and hope that this makes sense. If not well it is what is and take what resonates with you, but let me reiterate. Do not take anything personally, but be aware that everywhere you look or every encounter you make or every relationship you have with someone it is a reflection of yourself. You see what you allow yourself to see. I don’t remember where I heard this but I know I have heard it a dozen times, “When you don’t like something about someone, it’s actually something you do not like about yourself.” I totally could be making this up myself but I feel had this thought before me.

When you don’t like something about someone, it’s actually something you do not like about yourself.

I am not saying to overanalyze every situation in your life, absolutely not. You’ll know when it’s time to do some introspection. Those will be the times to analyze what you’re feeling, and what you’re seeing. Like how in my experience I provided there was something inside of me, my intuition if you will, saying “DING! DING! DING! THIS IS YOU LOOKING AT YOU! TIME TO LOOK WITHIN.” And trust me I am telling you your body will tell you when it’s time to do that, for my body I start to think about it over and over again. The encounter or the situation will pop up from time to time where I literally will not be able to shake it and I’ll get anxious about it. For me and my body that is how I know when to look at something within myself.

So now let me ask you this when you look out into the world what do you see? I guarantee it’s you. You create your reality meaning everything you see is you in some form. It is only a tough pill to swallow if you allow it to be.

P.S. I recommend reading the book I mentioned: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.