Reflection. What does that word mean to you?Webster has this to say: an often obscure or indirect criticism, a thought, idea, or opinion formed or a remark made as a result of meditation, consideration of some subject matter, idea, or purpose, turning back.Wow, that says a bunch right there. Let that all sink in for just a minute. Taking time to reflect can be a negative thing, or a positive thing, depending on what you’re reflecting on. Reflecting can bring you sorrow, or it can bring you hope. What have you been reflecting on lately?
Do you spend time reflecting on your past, on what you have done wrong or do you spend time reflecting on the future and its endless possibilities? Do you spend time reflecting on how bad your life is, or reflecting on what it could be, or how blessed you are? Do you spend time reflecting on your past and on the things you wish you could change, on the things you wish you had done, and you didn’t? The mind is a very powerful thing and can literally control you!
I can sit all day long and think about the fact that I got into the IU School of Optometry undergrad program, went through the essays and interview process and was accepted…and let a guy talk me out of going to college, but the harsh reality is that I cannot go back now and change that. What I can do is make sure my daughter doesn’t make that same mistake and understands the importance of her education! What I can do, is make sure she’s strong and independent, and makes decisions for her life based on what she wants, and not some guy. What I can do is make sure she knows how smart and beautiful she is, and that the world is at her fingertips. What good does it do for me to sit around 20 years later and cry about it? It’s done, it happened, but I can use it as a tool to help others!
I can sit all day long and reflect on my childhood and the fact that I never had the relationship with my dad that I so craved and yearned for, but all that does is make me sad and depressed. I have to simply forgive him knowing he wasn’t given the best tools and examples of parenting and learn from that. I can make sure my husband knows the importance of his relationship with his daughter and that he’s forming the kind of person she ultimately ends up with.
I’m not going to keep giving you examples. We all have them. We all have things in our past. We all did things we wish we could change. The point is what good does it do you to spend day in and day out sitting around thinking about them? Maybe you weren’t a good spouse, maybe you hurt a friend, maybe you weren’t a good parent and a good example for your kids, maybe you quit a job you wish you still had. Whatever your situation, stop reflecting on what could have been, or should have been! Start reflecting on how you can turn that negative thing into a positive thing, choose different, be different, and make the future better! Say you’re sorry to whomever you need to apologize to and choose to be a better person!
You know that none of us are promised tomorrow so why choose to live every day stuck reflecting on all the wrong? You can be a better spouse, you can be a better parent, you can be a better friend, you can love others and choose to treat people with respect. Do you know what you will receive in return? All of those things will be returned to you! Call it karma, call it sowing what you reap, but the point is you will reap what you sow so start reflecting on what good you can do and how much of a difference you can make, and how amazing your future can be. My favorite scripture in the Bible talks about weeping enduring for the night, but joy cometh in the morning. I choose to reflect on the joy that’s coming! I choose to wake up each morning with hope!
Are you headed in a positive direction or a negative one? Stop and think about what you’ve been reflecting on lately and you might have your answer. What will you spend your time reflecting on this week?
With love for you all!
Shauna
Shauna's Sisters 