Inside Out" - by Julie McKown Mirror, mirror on the wall…who’s the fittest of them all? When you look into the mirror at your body, what do you see? The reflection of a toned, strong physique tells you that you have been faithful and diligent in your workouts and nutrition, and that you have a strong sense of self-discipline. If you see that you have obvious deposits of fat, or that your shoulders are rounded, and your butt is drooping, that also is a reflection of your attitude toward your health and fitness. If you are strong, you see strength. If you have been sloppy, then you’ll see a lack of strength. When you look at life, what do you see? Do you see beauty and grace, or do you see a lonely place, filled with confusion and fear? Do you see a loving community, or do you see competition and dog-eat-dog aggression? Do you find life unfair, difficult, and unforgiving? And what about the people around you? Do they seem full of hope and charm, or are they irritating and frustrating to deal with? When we see something in the mirror that we don’t like, we don’t blame it on the mirror. We take responsibility for that and we either do something about it, or we accept it. Just as the mirror is a reflection of our physical selves, the reflection of who we are in our hearts can be found in what we see when we look at life. But when we see something in life that we don’t like, we often first seek to place the blame elsewhere instead of taking responsibility. When we see despair in life it is because we lack hope. When we see irritability in those around us, it is because we lack tolerance. And when we see aggression and competition in everything, it is only the reflection of our own lack of confidence and self-respect. For those of us who live a fitness lifestyle, it is likely that we stop frequently to assess our progress by looking in the mirror. If we see fat, we’ll do whatever it takes to balance that – we’ll crank up the cardio, maybe cut back on calories for a period of time. The next time you look at yourself – as long as you’re looking anyway – try assessing your heart by observing its reflection in the people and things around you. If you see injustice, confusion, or loneliness, then do whatever it takes to create balance. Be more fair, honest, and friendly. Make strength and form the mission for your body, and make beauty, peace, and joy the mission for your life. BodyChangers.com   [ Home ]