Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Everyone sees us differently. Their image of you will depend on many factors. When we take a moment to think about it it almost sounds silly because it is so obvious. We all wear the filters of our experiences, our beliefs, our values, our dreams, our desires, etc… kind of like a camera filter.

Let’s go back to our mirrors and think about the mirrors in a funhouse. How are all of these reflections so distorted? Although there is a scientific explanation to the phenomenon of the mirrors, I want to focus on the analogy of people’s perceptions. So, let’s take a moment to think about our perception of others.

How long does it take you to decide whether you like someone or not?

On what is that decision based?

We often make up our mind about a new acquaintance within seconds. Why is that? How can we do this so quickly?

Which of you should I believe? Which reflection is my true reflection?

Ever notice how our reflection looks different in every mirror? Some mirrors send back an image we like, some make us feel bad about ourselves. I have often wondered why that was and which mirror was accurate. I even wondered if there was a specific mirror that was sending back the image of how other people saw me.

I thought about it for a long time before I realized that people’s view of me was exactly like ALL of those mirrors. Not one was the same. In fact, everyone I know sees me in a different light. It all depends on how much they know me, on which parts of our lives we share, and on their own personal experiences as well.

​That’s right, we make assumptions according to past experiences with people we do know or have known. Are we always right? Of course not! But it does not stop us from making quick assumptions about people.

Now, turn the tables around. How do others see you? Where does that perception of you come from?

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If a person is shorter than you, they will see you as tall. If they are thinner than you, they may see you a chubby. If they are shy and you are confident, they may see you as assertive or arrogant depending on past experiences and their current frame of mind.

Everyone sees everyone through the filters of their past experiences. So, who sees the REAL you? Can anyone outside yourself see you in the same light as you see yourself? Even WE see ourselves according to our environment and the people in our lives. So, what is the true image of ourselves? Which is the true reflection? It is what you decide it to be. You are free to create the reflection you wish. It may require some work, but life is a journey in which we are meant to grow and continuously evolve. You are free to transform yourself and your life into anything you allow yourself to believe.

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Believe - Plan - Execute - Become - Share

If you would like to read more about this subject, you might like the following articles;

7 Assumptions Smart People Never Make, Alice G. Walton,Pharma & Healthcare, Jan 24, 2014, 12:02pm
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8 Social assumptions and what to do about them, Shift Management, n.d.