When my girlfriend turned 40 I bought her one of those 5x magnification mirrors as a gag gift. It didn’t go over quite like I hoped. I thought she’d react in a joking/offended way, but the joke was on me! Actually, she was really glad to get it – since her vision had been waning each year.
Honestly, no one over 45 should ever own one of those mirrors – it’s horrific what you see!!!! Think about it – what’s it going to highlight?! Our beautiful eyes? Well, yeah. But we tend to look past the beauty and notice the wild hairs growing where they shouldn’t be and the wrinkles popping up, well, everywhere.
I’ve been noticing a trend lately. People that have amazing potential, yet they aren’t walking in it. And as I look at these people I notice a tendency.
They need to break their mirrors! Meaning, they are looking at themselves a bit too much. They’re seeing a few too many wrinkles, blemishes and wild hairs… that keep them from stepping out. They’re looking a little too closely and seeing flaws instead of beauty. Their mistakes instead of their potential. Do you find yourself doing this? I know I do.
Zig Ziglar, an inspiring motivational speaker, had a saying that is repeated on every broadcast. Think about it:
You can get everything in life you want – if you’ll help enough other people get what they want. Zig Ziglar
That’s the key! We all need to take our eyes off of ourselves and look to how we can use our gifts and talents to help others.
It’s the golden rule put to action:
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Take your eyes off yourself
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Serve other’s needs
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Strive to please them
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Care for others
These simple principles will help each of us fulfill our potential and reach the goals we have. The next time you (or I) question ourselves – let’s remember if we use our gifts and talents we can touch others in a meaningful way that adds depth and meaning to our lives as well…
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Monica says
This is another incredible post!!!! I do exactly what you talked about in your article. I need to stop that and I mean now!!! Enough time has been wasted!!! This is so inspiring! It will carry me through the week for sure. Please keep write more inspirational and encouraging posts like all of your other posts!!💜💜
Char says
Thanks Monica – It’s as much for me as anyone!! Have a blessed week!
Michele Morin says
Yup.
I wasted so much time being focused on myself. And I still can fall back into that trap if I don’t stay close to Truth. Thanks for this post!
Char says
So, Michele – I love your post today – have you written any books?? I can see you writing an analogy like “Hinds Feet on High Places.”
Oh, and yes, it is a trap isn’t it? We have to fight our insecurities and doubts. Have a great week!
Debbie Putman says
How much time I waste and unnecessary pain I endure because I focus on myself instead of serving others and loving them. Your four action points are exactly the remedy!
Char says
Thanks Debbie!
Marilyn Lesniak says
Have a great week and thanks for hosting!
Patrick says
Thanks for hosting! Im following you on instagram, Facebook, and pinterest!
Char says
Thanks Patrick! Have a great week!
Donna Reidland says
Char, I had to laugh when I read your opening. I still remember the first time I looked into my mother’s magnifying mirror. I think it was more than 5X and it was scary! But now I have to use you just to SEE. I try not to look too hard!
All joking aside, what you said is so true. We must get our eyes off of ourselves. None of us is adequate in ourselves as Paul said. We must keep our eyes on God and let him do through us what only He can do!
Sue Donaldson says
Loved this Char. I’ve wondered about all these new/old wrinkles of late and catch myself w/ or w/o a mirror thinking: I’m almost done, right Lord? Who would want me to do anything for them?
So it’s best when I skip the navel gazing and put on extra face cream and do the next thing – slower, maybe, but still. Great post, Char.
Char says
Hi Sue,
During one of my visits to our local fruit stand, I overheard a conversation with the owner and her daughters… They were talking about facelifts and the owner said, “I’m proud of every one of my wrinkles! I’ve earned every one of them!” Oh boy, I want that attitude!!!!
Lisa notes says
Such good advice to not focus so much on ourselves. I have one of those mirrors and it is indeed scary. 🙂 I even occasionally put on my reading glasses when I shave my legs and that can be scary too. ha. I’m all about looking out and up! Thanks, Char.
Char says
I like that – Look out and up!
Heather Hart says
Such great advice! We have to stop looking at our faults and focusing on them. Focusing on faults is still vanity.
Char says
Thanks Heather – it’s similar to your post where you listed counterarguments for our negative thoughts. Nice to connect!
Susan Evans says
We should definitely not be focusing on magnifying our own outer blemishes, even though we as women tend to do that! When we minister to others, somehow our perspective is better.
Char says
That is so true. Sometimes I think to myself that I should listen to my own advice. I’m so much more gracious with others! Thanks for reading Susan!
Andrea says
If we would share Him with others, He would share Himself with us!
Neva says
You’re definitely onto something, literally and figuratively. I certainly can’t blame aging (I’m planning the menu for my 20th birthday dinner), but it’s so easy to be critical of myself in a non-constructive way. Is it good when we look at ourselves and think, “I was unkind today, I need to do better?” Yes! That’s why God gave us a conscience. But when we look at ourselves and say, “My skin looks gross,” what are we accomplishing? We don’t love our friends and family for their faces and we shouldn’t do ourselves the disservice of treating our own bodies with so little appreciation.
Char says
That’s wisdom Neva. God made beautiful creatures in each of us. It’s so easy to see in others and we would be wise to use the same eyes on ourselves!
Katie says
A great story with a spiritual truth! We must take our eyes off of ourselves and look to Christ and who He wants us to bless!
Char says
So, so true! Thanks Katie
Alice Mills says
If I did t have one of those mirrors, I wouldn’t be able to see the littl hairs on my chin now that I have hit menopause! Great post!
Char says
Me too! I rely on mine every day Alice!
Kristina says
Yep, bouncing back post baby is a terrible time of self focus. Need to step away and look at the world around me!
Char says
Congratulations on your baby. Yes, a bird’s eye view is a great perspective.
Kristi says
Zig Zigler is a smart man!
What a great way to encourage each other by doing a linky party.
Charlene says
Great post.
Charlene says
Sorry, I wasn’t finished my comment. One point in my life, I was looking too much at myself and not at God, nor at helping others. God has really helped me to come out of my shell and use my story of raising my son with special needs to help others. I truly want others to not see me, but our Lord.
Great post and thank you for sharing. I love the mirror gift. I might have to give that to a few of my friends. 🙂