Mirrors

How many times have you looked into the mirror today?

10 times? Maybe 20?

Or maybe it was just once.

Of all those times, how many times did you look at you?

I can guess.

You haven't.

We look at our zits or our make up

We look at our clothes & our accessories,

Can you see the welting pimple?

How about my bra strap?

Will I look fat in this shirt?

Are these pants too tight?

Can you remember the last time you saw yourself?

Just you.

The last time you looked into your eyes & saw you.

Your soul, your essence, your self.

I'm guessing some of you can.

Some of you may think you have, but haven't.

You've looked in the mirror & seen only what you aren't.

Not perfect, not good enough, no desirable,

But what are you?

It's hard.

So hard to see ourselves for what we are

Hard, but not impossible.

You are more.

So much more.

How many times have you looked into the mirror & seen beyond?

Beyond the world, beyond your pain & joy?

Maybe you've just seen beyond the present.

How often have you believed it?

I haven't seen it in a very long time.

But I live on the knowledge that inside of me there is more.

So much more.

We can do anything.

Will it be easy?

No, but nothing worth anything is.

You are more than a boy or a girl or a they.

You are more than any sexuality.

You are more than any of the identities out there.

You are you.

Flawed & grasping at life.

So try.

Each & every day I want you to try.

I will too.

Work to see yourself beyond what you think you should see.

Transcend above the shame & criticism.

Look past those mirrors filled with rolls & cellulite.

See more than the superficial appearance you see.

None of that matters unless you decide it does.

Mirrors will tell you nothing more & nothing less than what you allow.

Forget what they say.

Until you love yourself, you won't be seen.