Imperfections in Your Reflection
The imperfections we perceive in ourselves are not inadequacies, but reminders we’re growing and moving through life together.
What’s the greater risk? Letting go of what people think — or letting go of how I feel, what I believe, and who I am? — Brené Brown
Some days when I glance in the mirror I see a strange somber creature staring back at me. In those glistening eyes, I see my past mistakes, and in my body, all I see is flaws and breaks.
I fear I will never be satisfied with what I see in a society that imposes unrealistic ideals on me. But sadly, the biggest critic I harbor within, that berating inner voice with the cynical grin.
Even though this critic can be harsh and unfair, an inner observer makes me more self-aware. And when I surrender to the taunting voices, I am truly able to handle life’s difficult choices.
When I allow my reflection to give me power, the universe’s energy nurtures me like a flower. Using my positive mindset I shift my mind’s gears to accept that I AM brave enough to face my fears.
My self-growth isn’t about what others think, but about the beauty I create with my own ink. Everything in life has its own wonder and rhyme and life’s reasons reveal themselves in due time.
© Athena Milios, 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do. — Brené Brown
This poem was inspired by Brené Brown, a Texan social work professor, author, lecturer, and podcast host, as well as one of my biggest role models. She researches and writes about the topics of courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She is the author of five New York Times bestselling books: Dare to Lead, Braving the Wilderness, Rising Strong, Daring Greatly, and The Gifts of Imperfection.
The five most powerful Brené Brown quotes that motivate me on a daily basis are displayed below. I hope that you find as much inspiration from them as I did!
- I want to be in the arena. I want to be brave with my life. And when we make the choice to dare greatly, we sign up to get our asses kicked. We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both. Not at the same time.
- Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.
- You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.
- Stop walking through the world looking for confirmation that you don’t belong. You will always find it because you’ve made that your mission. Stop scouring people’s faces for evidence that you’re not enough. You will always find it because you’ve made that your goal. True belonging and self-worth are not goods; we don’t negotiate their value with the world. The truth about who we are lives in our hearts. Our call to courage is to protect our wild heart against constant evaluation, especially our own. No one belongs here more than you.
- Perfectionism is a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame.
The bottom line is that when I look in the mirror, I want to be able to accept the person looking back at me, in all her imperfections, vulnerabilities, victories, and defeats. This radical acceptance is what will allow me to learn the lessons I need to from life so that I can experience self-growth.
