I was in the aisle of the grocery store trying to reach a bottle of sparkling water that was on the top shelf. I was tiptoeing precariously to reach it and as I dropped back down, I bumped into a small lady who had decided to stand directly behind me. I apologized profusely for bumping into her, even though I'm certain I could not have avoided it without some serious gymnastics. She scowled at me and said, "WELL! It would certainly help if you weren't so tall!" I was not-a-little mortified. I had no words; I had plenty upon reflection, but none would have reflected things in my heart which are noble or praiseworthy. :-) When I went to the self checkout to buy my troublesome sparkling water, a tall gentleman who had witnessed the encounter tapped me on the shoulder, leaned in and said, "tall is wonderful." In this small statement, that man built me up and instilled strength where I felt most vulnerable. It was a kindness I will remember.
Sometimes it's challenging to be kind. I was looking in a pool of clear, still water a couple weeks ago. The reflection was nearly flawless. It made me think about reflections; what do I reflect to others about themselves? Do I reflect that they are valuable, beautiful, loved? I think too often I do not.
Do I reflect to them the truth about themselves, or do I give them a distorted view cluttered with the mess of my own life/self?
Life seems to be one long learning curve for me. In truth I do let the stuff of life clutter my perspective, in spite of my best intentions. I have recently felt deep hurt in a close friendship, I have been disappointed by what I cannot change in chapters of the book of my life that are still being written, I feel heartbreak at the ongoing suffering of the child I brought into this world and I feel exasperation because my desperate search for the key to unlock him must continue. Can I, through the fog of pain (or heartache, or exasperation), reflect to others whom I encounter that they are valuable and precious? Can I reflect beauty even in the times when beauty is not the most overwhelming ingredient in my perspective?
I will endeavor to do so, even if I should fail more than I would like.
