July 7 – Taking A Good Look in the Mirror

cat reflection

 

This image of a cat watching its reflection in the window caught my attention early in the day and I kept thinking about it throughout the day.  The cat is so intently engaged in looking at the reflection!  One reason I think the image stayed with me during the day is because I love pets.  A more important reason the image stayed in my mind is that it reminds me that others see us by how we behave and how we respond to them.  That image is not based so much on how we appear but how we make them feel.  As a chaplain I have a purpose in every encounter to make the person feel better because we spent time with each other.  Feedback from people we spend time with allows us to assess what our encounter together has done for them.  So I invite you to look at those you encounter today and see if you find clues on how their encounter with you has shaped their day.  I hope you will feel affirmed.  If you are not affirmed then it is time to ask why you are not having the effect on others that you desire.  Either way this can be a good exercise in self-awareness.