Blessings to You!

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you like the image? Perhaps our perceptions depend more on our state of mind than what the mirror is reflecting. Is it possible that our eyes can lie to us? Absolutely! So does this mean that we cannot trust our own eyes? Not necessarily! Confused? Great! Because what I have to share with you today can help you "see" things in a whole new light!

I would like to begin with the term "countenance," which is frequently used in Scripture. While some definitions simply state "facial expression," the origin of the word defines it as "a facial expression betraying a state of mind."

Have you ever observed someone smiling with their lips, while their eyes revealed anger or sadness? Their countenance; their true state of mind, was showing through the smile. Oddly enough, we cannot typically "read" our own countenance.

This is because what we see is filtered through our current state of consciousness or awareness. We have all heard about people suffering from anorexia, who observe the skeletal image in the mirror and see a fat person.

While that was not one of my problems, nonetheless I would so often look at a mirror and see the flaws more clearly than my own sweet soul. These many years later, observing photographs of myself...the self I saw as skinny, buck-toothed and flat-chested...I now see someone who was pretty darn cute!

This is what I remind myself of when I look in the mirror  now and am tempted to see gray hair and wrinkles sneaking up. I smile and say to myself, "Hey, cutie pie!" and blow myself a kiss. This is not narcissism, it is healthy self-love and appreciation. Who couldn't use a little more of that?

HOWEVER...if we look in the mirror and see something that we really do not like...if we see depression, hopelessness or misery, it would be a perfect time to do a little self-exploration to determine if this is something we need to be addressing.

Oftentimes when we look in the mirror and are not "favorably impressed" with what we see, we just may find that a little TLC, a shower, haircut or a touch of makeup, or in the case of you guys a shave, gives you a whole new lease on life...and an uplifted countenance!

As Jesus said, "Do not judge by appearances, but when you judge, use righteous judgment." Truer words were never spoken!

So...go now...look in the mirror and say, "Hey Cutie Pie!" or "How're you doin' handsome?" and blow yourself a kiss. You deserve it!

Smile! RevAli