In Another's Eyes

Good Day Friends, Family and Anyone Reading This,

Jak has been dancing around for the past few minutes trying to get my attention.  As I was trying to figure out what he wanted (go out, his ball, food), I caught a glimpse of my reflection in his eye.

If you look close you can see me here, holding my camera.  If you look even closer you'll see I'm wearing sweats and a skull cap on this chilly morning.  Aside from lazy day off morning attire, seeing myself got me thinking about a concept that has always fascinated me.  How others perceive me.

Now to be clear, this is not an ego driven curiosity about my physical appearance, I'm talking about as a person -who I am underneath the skin.  A few months into my current job, someone asked if I have kids.  No.  The response was, you'd make a great mother.  Right there, that perception.  What is it about me working at a coffee shop that makes someone else think I'd be a good parent.  Tell me more.  I want to know because it is not necessarily a way in which I see myself.

On the flip side of this concept, I also wish there was a way for others to see themselves through our eyes.  I think as humans we spend too much time beating ourselves up over little stuff.  If just for a second we could see what others see there would be more compassion in the world.  We would know we are doing way better than we think.  That we are more beautiful, more loving, more kind and more caring than we allow ourselves to believe. 

Maybe the lesson for me here is to absorb and appreciate those glimpses at myself in another's eyes.  And to find a way to share my perceptions with others because it is meaningful to me when I hear them. 

Perhaps the universal lesson is stop kicking ourselves in the ass.  We are all putting one foot in front of the other each day, the best way we know how to.  And when someone is kind enough to share how well they perceive you, listen.  Really hear it and appreciate it.

Until next time...
Peace & Love, Love, Love,
Hope