Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Mirrored affirmation

Photo:  www.invitinghome.com
I have a dear friend that I think I have loved more moments than I can count through the mists of time.  We don't often get the chance to spend large blocks of time together these days, as life is hectic and family, work and responsibilities cut into leisure time.  This week, we were lucky to connect and spend a good portion of a whole day together and it was just sublime.

This girl is someone that I trust implicitly.  She's a true heart friend in those indefinable ways that build a solid friendship. We've found over the years that we either tend to mirror experiences in our respective lives, or one of us is just completing a cycling of an experience that the other is just embarking upon.  In this way, this reflection provides guidance and a sounding board for both of us, when we have sufficient time to spend together and really get caught up.

Our recent afternoon and evening was that proverbial breath of fresh air for me.  We played, which is always good for the Soul.  We saw a theatrical production that some friends both acted in and directed, then we had a late meal and stayed downtown to watch another theatrical production on Knoxville's Market Square.  In between all of this, we shared what we had both been doing since we were last together.  Much time had passed since then, so there was a great deal to cover, and cover it, we did.

She is in a truly good place in her life.  Settled, with someone she loves, her work life is growing and prospering and she carries that special glow that one does when everything is falling into place in Divine Order. Knowing her as I do, I was so happy to see her this happy, calm and peaceful....both inside and out.

The even greater beauty of it all was that she became a mirror for me.  This time, she is finishing this particular cycle....or rather, she is sojourning it....ahead of me.  Listening to her words and description of the steps, the decisions, the emotional healing she processed to get herself to that higher, more level place of allowing....it gave me that mirror.  That road map or template of sorts.  Because I am not that far behind her on a similar path, everything she was sharing was resonating brightly for me.  I could see the logical steps she had taken, hear the wisdom in her choices and actions, and absorb the clear outcome.  She is happy.

This reflection she gave me instilled hope in a new way for me.  Mind you, it is never difficult for me to focus on positives.  I tend to be a fairly sunny natured individual, and prefer to focus on those good, happy, uplifting moments.  That being said, I flounder like everyone else when it comes to personal dreams, hopes and wishes.  We are all so adept at getting in our own way for these goals, and I am no different.  I do have conscious intent, however, to be fully, mindfully engaged in my own growth.  What a lovely thing when I am given a gift of recognizing that this growth need not be so onerous, challenging or difficult!

Spending time with someone that I truly love and enjoy was the first gift.  Nothing polishes up the heart more than that type of interaction, basking in the sheer enjoyment of someone dear to you.  The second gift was being shown that reflection....that example that, "Look, this is how I did it, and it worked out beautifully."  Sometimes the strongest lessons don't have to be imparted through bloody struggle and painful experiences. They can be, but I don't think it's necessary 100% of the time.  What can be better than to witness someone a few steps ahead of you on a similar path, charting and negotiating their journey with determination, conscious application of intent and relative ease so that you may mirror their actions and experience a similar manifestation of ease?

Mirrors reflect.  That is their purpose.  We can choose to see through a warped lens and intentionally misread that reflection, or we can choose to gaze with clear eyes at the image.  That's my choice, gazing clearly, and engaging with purpose.  And the best part of this conscious process is that a day spent with someone I love gave me a mirrored confirmation and affirmation for where my own life is heading.  In her happiness, I see a reflection of possibilities, and I embrace them.

22 comments:

  1. Isn't that how it should be? "In her happiness, I see a reflection of possibilities, and I embrace them." Such a wonderful post. A prime example of how one should raise another up! I'm so happy that you have such a friend in your life! ~Hugs, M

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  2. You are luck to have such a nice friend and its always a great feel to spent time with your friends :)

    Mirror's reflection .... very aptly described !!!

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  3. Mumsy, I love that you honed in on one of my favorite statements in this article! I remember just feeling so light, and free, encouraged, supported and more that afternoon and evening with this friend. Friendship is such a never ending gift in that regard. Thank you for stopping by, sweet girl!

    Jyoti, I am indeed very lucky to have this wonderful friend in my life! She's a keeper, that's for sure. I'm glad you enjoyed the post; it's one of those that just demanded to be written after spending such an enjoyable day with this friend.

    Much love,

    Dawn

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  4. Something I have also learned...that "the strongest lessons don't have to be imparted through bloody struggle and painful experiences"...It is so blissfully freeing to know that we can grow in love and happiness, and to experience it being this way!

    How wonderful for you...recognizing the precious gift of her reflection...I adore moments like these, and like you, embrace them and bask in them. Be assured, dear one, that there will be many more to come!

    I so enjoyed reading and sharing in your beautiful experience, Dawn, thank you so much for sharing it with us. ❤

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  5. Bec, I'm at that point in my life where I am eschewing the need for the painful approach for growth and learning! I'm so happy that part of this article resonated for you. It was one of the strongest lessons my day w/ my girlfriend gave me. I so clearly remember how wonderful it felt, listening to her relate where she is in her life, and recognizing that I'm mere steps away. The weather that day even reflected an unprecedented lightness - unseasonably cool temps and low humidity just made the whole experience that much more blissful. Thank you, dear one, for such a lovely comment! <3

    Dawn

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  6. Nice post.. :) mirrors are always honest, they don't take anything n they return whatever they take in (i.e they reflect whatever it looks like) n mirrors are always man's best friend.. because they never laugh when we are hurt!! You can visit my blog if you like.. here is the link:
    http://www.iredeem.blogspot.com/

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  7. Shreya, thanks for visiting and leaving your thoughts on this post! "...because they never laugh when we are hurt:" was a very thoughtful statement. Yep, mirrors can be one of the best sources for growth and learning, if we're brave enough to gaze into them and react with rational thought. I'm off to visit your blog in return! :)

    Dawn

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  8. Truly a beautiful gift you were given on this day!

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  9. Janie, I so agree with you! I'm still feeling all the positive vibes from it, two days later, and I hope that that continues. It gave me some perspective on several things that are happening in my life, and with that perspective, comes peace and a more settled, centered feeling in general. Thank you, as always, for being there for me, as you provide equal blessings!

    ~ Dawnie

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  10. I love this article. I have a few friends like this, my soulmates. They have been my mirrors and just as importantly, I have had the opportunity to be their mirrors. This is the essence of life....

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  11. “Mirrors reflect. That is their purpose. We can choose to see through a warped lens and intentionally misread that reflection, or we can choose to gaze with clear eyes at the image.”

    Alright, here’s another stealer :) I have a small collection of your quotes for future reference to pull out my hat when magic needs to manifest.

    Whether friends I’ve known a long time, or newcomers to my circle, soul mates and kindred spirits do mirror our own souls – that‘s what makes them mirrors reflecting back on our own consciousness, dreams and visions.

    Have you ever been on Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride, where you see the illusion of ghosts beside you in the mirror? That’s what peering into a friend’s soul in like, only you see yourself in the mirror.

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  12. Debra, you collect quotes of things I write/say?! Oh my. That's just really cool! Seriously, I don't think I've ever been touched in such a manner - it means the world to know this. And I hope that those select quotes to allow you to access magic, because I strive to give it voice when I feel it in my heart.

    Disney's Haunted Mansion ride is a very apt analogy and I agree with you completely. I was reflected in my girlfriend's eyes/mirror this past weekend, and all the beautiful possibilities were right there, waiting to be greeted.

    I love it when you visit, sweetheart!

    Much love,
    Dawn

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  13. Better watch Debra. She'll pull those quotes out when you least expect it! :P

    Seriously, though, it is amazing when we get to spend time in front of a mirror and actually enjoy what we see, whether it's figuratively or literally. That's the beauty of friendship: just like a mirror, it's non-judgemental.

    I have a friend in our office who can have that effect on me, a relatively new co-worker (less than a year). It's been quite rare in recent years, so it's always eye-opening when it dawns on me and what she reflects back to me.

    I always feel better when I visit your blog, Dawnie. :)

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  14. Christine, isn't is a special blessing to have those types of friendships? We trade back and forth the learning and teaching roles and we're all better people for it. I love that you're so clearly aware of those blessings in your life. Thank you for stopping by and visiting!

    Dawn
    ______________________

    Dave, "That's the beauty of friendship: just like a mirror, it's non-judgmental." I love that statement! I so value the people in my life who give me that pure acceptance of who I am to my very core. It is, indeed, a rare quality and it gives such strong gifts. It makes me smile, btw, that you enjoy coming to visit here, buddy. Seriously...I smile deep from my heart for reading your words. :)

    Loving you!
    Dawnie

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  15. Boy is this right on !!! I was all over the place until I married my mirror. I have enjoyed the blessing of being married to my best friend for 24 years.


    http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/08/photographing-walk-on-beach-in-florida.html

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  16. Dawn,
    I love this idea of you and your friend, moving through life in parallel, but not on the same schedule. I'm picturing the two of you bushwhacking through a jungle, trading off on who's in the lead cutting through the vines.

    It makes me smile.

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  17. I loved this message. I have a friend who I also share this kind of bond with. It's nice that you are able to enjoy each other's successes and inspire each other. That is true friendship! :-)

    http://lyricfire.typepad.com/lyric-fire/2011/08/lyric-fire-look-at-my-fabulous-life-episode-1-the-wellingtons.html

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  18. Jim, your comment made me smile! It's rare to hear a man open up about that type of connection, and that makes it that much more special that you recognize the blessings of "your own personal mirror". 24+ years is inspiring, my friend!
    ______________________

    Sheila, I loved your mental image of bushwhacking! It made me smile too, as well as laugh out loud. If you could peek into this particular friendship for a wee moment, you'd get that we really do have that type of relationship. She's one of my best blessings & we do trade off a lot with that growth process. Thank you for visiting and leaving such a wonderful comment!
    ______________________

    Tameka, what would we do without friendship?! I think the world would be very flat, dull and uninspired. Definitely lacking in flash and color, that's for sure. I'm so happy you have a similar relationship and support system in your life. It keeps things interesting, always having someone walking close along the path with you. :)

    Namaste' to each of you!

    Dawn

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  19. Your posts lend a bright hue to my day and your words echo in my mind for long. I too have a beautiful friend who is my soul-sister and we help each other along the rough terrain of life. Thank you for sharing this lovely post with us.God bless...

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  20. Sulekkha, I'm so happy to hear you have the blessing of your soul-sister friend! It has been heartwarming to read the various manifestations in everyones' lives of a similar relationship. We learn so much from the reflections of those closest to us, yes? And friendship teaches, supports and encourages with such steadfast beauty. Thank you for visiting & leaving such a lovely comment. Blessings in return! :)

    Dawn

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  21. Life would be pretty miserable without truly close friends. The older I get the more I value my closest ones. Should I be left alone as so many older women are, (statistically men die early than women) I know they will be there for comfort and support.

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  22. Mari, I agree...friendships are that solid foundation we build. If we're very fortunate, we have a small number of true heart friends that stay with us for a lifetime. I struggle with the ones who are with me for a brief time, because my heart prefers long-term relationships, but I know the fast burning stars come to impart strong lessons before moving on. Thanks so much for visiting & leaving such a thoughtful comment! :)

    Dawn

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