“I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.” Lewis Carroll, Author, illustrator, poet, mathematician, photographer, teacher, and inventor

Look in the mirror and what do you see? How comfortable are you spending time really looking at and seeing yourself? I realize that most of you look in the mirror everyday ‘doing’ things like brushing your teeth, applying makeup, and combing your hair. How often do you really look into your eyes and say, “I love you”? Do you feel the love for yourself deep within your very being? As Lewis Carroll reminds us we are changing in every moment. Who you see in the mirror when you first wake up will have many experiences during the day. These experiences will contribute to the changes within you, although some are subtle. When you get ready for bed and look in the mirror you may think you look the same but you will have changed during the days’ experiences. Make sense?

Think about it. During the day you may have experienced disappointment, fear, anger, love, joy, and so much more. The mirror reflects who we are in the moment. Years ago Judith Manganiello, former owner of A Peace of the Universe and author shared her experience of looking in the mirror with me. I do it and at first saying, “I love you” to myself wasn’t comfortable. Through  the years I’m getting to the point where I can feel a difference and I know I mean it! Something that seems so simple can have a profound impact. 

I’ve reflected on why I felt so uncomfortable looking at myself in the mirror with love. I’ve asked, “Why was it so hard to say, ‘I love you’, and embrace loving myself?” I realized that I didn’t want to disappoint people. I felt guilt and in some cases shame about the choices I made in the past. Ego got in the way. At times I felt unworthy of love. What I’ve discovered through my journey of awakening and self-awareness who I thought I was has changed. I’m more. The essence and core of me, love, hasn’t changed. It’s who I am. I know that my beliefs, habits and perceptions will continue to change but my essence will not! 

The key to changing has been learning to forgive myself. Louise Hay, Author and professional speaker reminds us that, “Forgiveness is a gift to yourself. It frees you from the past, past experiences, and past relationships. It allows you to live in the present time. When you forgive yourself and forgive others, you are indeed free.” Looking in the mirror is so much easier. Feeling, believing, and receiving love from me is real! I invite you to try it and don’t be discouraged. 

Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist monk, says, “Use your time wisely. Every moment produces beautiful thoughts, loving, kindness, forgiveness. Say beautiful things, inspire, forgive, act physically to protect and help.” Use your time wisely and embrace the truth of who you are – love. You are a magnificent eternal being capable of so much. It will never change. Your thoughts, habits, beliefs, choices, and perceptions may change if you want them to. Look in the mirror. What do you see?

I am available, for private intuitive coaching sessions at Storm Wisdom on Tuesdays from 1p – 6p by appointment. If you would like to connect with me or schedule a channeled private session on Tuesdays and explore becoming more of who you are, please call Storm Wisdom (602)334-1204. I am also available by phone or Zoom on other days. To schedule go to victoriabarna.com.