A few days ago, I posted about how, even though I try to do better, sometimes the mirror can best my self confidence. As the band, SuperChic[k], put it, "Sometimes I have good days and it's good to be me. Sometimes I get the best of insecurity, and it's quite alright to be the one and only, but today I feel like the one and lonely." I believe we all can understand that feeling from time to time.
I have been thinking about how many battles I have had with the mirror, the goriest of which were done during my preteen and teenage years. People often do not know about children's battles with the mirror, because the children fear that if they mention that something about themselves haunts them, someone might agree that it's true: they really are ugly, awkward, stupid, worthless. We would all rather fear that it might be true than take the risk of asking, and having someone confirm our fears.
As many of you know, I sponsor some kids through Compassion International. These kids are really important to me, and it may sound strange, being as I have never met them, but I love them. When I first signed up to be a sponsor, I did not realize the opportunity I had been given, but it only took a short time for Liline to show me how much she looked up to me, just for choosing her. I really don't deserve to be this considered this cool, but for some reason, she places great import in everything I say. Because of this, I try to see areas where I can encourage my kids where the people in their daily lives may not be able to.
With my sponsored kids, I can't be there to pick them up, and brush the dust off of their knees, or put the bandaids on broken hearts. I don't know what is being said to them daily. I can't know when they are having good days or dark days, but I try to make sure that when they are having their dark days, they have a full stock of letters and reminders to scare off those beasts that lurk in their darkness.
So, one day, as I was perusing that dangerous place known as Michaels craft store, I came across these paper mirrors for a dollar a piece.
A light bulb came on, and I bought three, and a 20 pack of markers.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I find that when I am most discouraged or disgusted with myself, I will at least once glance in my mirror, as if to see if it really is as bad as I feel. The problem with this is that the mirror often has a sharp tongue, and rarely disagrees with the dark feelings. We use a mirror every day, before we leave the house. I am going to take advantage of this fact.
Because, it's about time mirrors started showing people some love. Alok Nath, being in India, writes in a script that I can't even figure out which side is up, so I will have to tell him that word means "Handsome" and that is why I chose to cover the rest of it in hearts, so instead of reading it, he might be able to get the gist of love. (There is a protective plastic to protect the mirror. For a paper mirror, it has quite a good reflection under that plastic)
This one goes to Abigail, who lives in Ghana and speaks some English. This one is not as artistic, but I wanted her to look at this mirror and think nothing but good about herself! Especially "Loved" It is my theory that most of our insecurities, and self abusive choices we make stem from our fear that we are not lovable. In my mind, it is most important that we let the people that we love know it...often!
This last one is for Liline, whose given name is Magarette. She will be 13 this summer, so I thought she might like something a little more elegant than playful. She speaks Creole and is learning French in school, so I looked up some French for her. "God loves you" "I love you" "Beautiful" "Intelligent" and "Precious" are what I chose for her.
I am really pleased with how these little projects turned out, plus I enjoyed the opportunity to color again! It delights me to think that when they look into these and see themselves, they will also see things like "Beautiful" "Smart" and "Loved" and hopefully they will associate those things with themselves more often. I hope that they will be cheerful little candles for my "kids" on their dark days.
Because, quite frankly, it is about time for mirrors to learn their manners, and for us to stand up to them. It is also time for those of us who are older, and have already seen the reflective battlefield too often to step in, help our younger loved ones to develop positive habits when looking at themselves, and show them how to put that reflector in its place. It starts by us filling their reservoirs up with love, so that when they are feeling low and they turn to look at their reservoir, they see a lake and not a puddle.
I have been thinking about how many battles I have had with the mirror, the goriest of which were done during my preteen and teenage years. People often do not know about children's battles with the mirror, because the children fear that if they mention that something about themselves haunts them, someone might agree that it's true: they really are ugly, awkward, stupid, worthless. We would all rather fear that it might be true than take the risk of asking, and having someone confirm our fears.
As many of you know, I sponsor some kids through Compassion International. These kids are really important to me, and it may sound strange, being as I have never met them, but I love them. When I first signed up to be a sponsor, I did not realize the opportunity I had been given, but it only took a short time for Liline to show me how much she looked up to me, just for choosing her. I really don't deserve to be this considered this cool, but for some reason, she places great import in everything I say. Because of this, I try to see areas where I can encourage my kids where the people in their daily lives may not be able to.
With my sponsored kids, I can't be there to pick them up, and brush the dust off of their knees, or put the bandaids on broken hearts. I don't know what is being said to them daily. I can't know when they are having good days or dark days, but I try to make sure that when they are having their dark days, they have a full stock of letters and reminders to scare off those beasts that lurk in their darkness.
So, one day, as I was perusing that dangerous place known as Michaels craft store, I came across these paper mirrors for a dollar a piece.
A light bulb came on, and I bought three, and a 20 pack of markers.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I find that when I am most discouraged or disgusted with myself, I will at least once glance in my mirror, as if to see if it really is as bad as I feel. The problem with this is that the mirror often has a sharp tongue, and rarely disagrees with the dark feelings. We use a mirror every day, before we leave the house. I am going to take advantage of this fact.
Because, it's about time mirrors started showing people some love. Alok Nath, being in India, writes in a script that I can't even figure out which side is up, so I will have to tell him that word means "Handsome" and that is why I chose to cover the rest of it in hearts, so instead of reading it, he might be able to get the gist of love. (There is a protective plastic to protect the mirror. For a paper mirror, it has quite a good reflection under that plastic)
I am really pleased with how these little projects turned out, plus I enjoyed the opportunity to color again! It delights me to think that when they look into these and see themselves, they will also see things like "Beautiful" "Smart" and "Loved" and hopefully they will associate those things with themselves more often. I hope that they will be cheerful little candles for my "kids" on their dark days.
Because, quite frankly, it is about time for mirrors to learn their manners, and for us to stand up to them. It is also time for those of us who are older, and have already seen the reflective battlefield too often to step in, help our younger loved ones to develop positive habits when looking at themselves, and show them how to put that reflector in its place. It starts by us filling their reservoirs up with love, so that when they are feeling low and they turn to look at their reservoir, they see a lake and not a puddle.
I went to Michael's today and found the mirrors. Purchased 2 of them. Someday I will do some (hopefully) mahvelous artwork on them and post them on OC. :-)
ReplyDeleteLinda T from OC
Oh those turn out wonderful. I think that the mirrors are a wonderful idea and I intend to head out to Michaels tomorrow to purchase a couple. Thank you for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteThese are very nice. I really like that you put such encouraging comments and tailored it for each child so that when they look in the miror they will see their reflection with love and praise that they are special.
ReplyDelete