People you feel drawn to reflect your inner self back at you, and you act as a mirror for them as well.
(Madisyn Taylor)
When we look at other people, we see many of their qualities in innumerable and seemingly random combinations. However, the qualities that we see in the people around us are directly related to the traits that exist in us. "Like attracts like" is one of the spiritual laws of the universe. We attract individuals into our lives that mirror who we are. Those you feel drawn to reflect your inner self back at you, and you act as a mirror for them. Simply put, when you look at others, you will likely see what exists in you. When you see beauty, divinity, sweetness, or light in the soul of another, you are seeing the goodness that resides in your soul. When you see traits in others that evoke feelings of anger, annoyance, or hatred, you may be seeing reflected back at you those parts of yourself that you have disowned or do not like.
Because we are all mirrors for each other, looking at the people in your life can tell you a lot about yourself … it is easy to see the traits you do not like in others. It is much more difficult to realize that you possess those same traits. Often, the habits, attitudes, and behaviours of others are closely linked to our unconscious and unresolved issues.
When you come into contact with someone you admire, search your soul for similarly admirable traits. Likewise, when you meet someone exhibiting traits that you dislike, accept that you are looking at your reflection. Looking at yourself through your perception of others can be a humbling and eye-opening experience … Nurture compassion and empathy and let the goodness you see in others be your mirror.
My Thoughts:
Interesting concept, but one I cannot completely accept.
I get the idea of ‘like finding like’ but what I don’t agree with is the notion that the traits we do not like in others reflects our own darker side of things we dislike about ourselves.
Let me explain … I dislike people that are cruel, vindictive, spiteful, arrogant, judgemental, people that make others feel small, or insignificant. I also steer away from those that take advantage of others, that expect everything and give nothing, and those that gain from misfortunes often inflicted by their hands. I have no time for greed, one-upmanship, false kudos, the piggybacking on other’s success or the need to take credit where it is not due, especially at the expense of the real beneficiary. Most of all I hate those that bully others, those that walk all over people to get what they want and those that see it as acceptable to be rude to people they judge to be their inferiors. Naturally, it goes without saying that I hate murders, abusers and those that actively go out of their way to inflict hardships.
The list above is extensive and I am sure there are things I have forgotten to mention, but … and it is a huge BUT … I in no way think that anything contained within it reflects any traits that I possess (to any great extent). Well okay, we can all do things that we are not proud of from time to time and there will always things that we look back on and know that we could have handled them better, however most of the time they do not represent the person we usually truly are, regardless of the people we encounter.
I will actively avoid anyone that demonstrates any tendencies I dislike, however if the concept above holds true then maybe by doing so I am not allowing others that need it to see the good in me. However, I do not think that this particular mirror reflects two-ways. I think it is more likely that those with less than honourable traits will overpower and drain the good out of others … so maybe it is just best to avoid them.