"Is That My Reflection I See...?"

August 8, 2025

Belinda M. Lane

Who is the person I’m looking at called…Me? It’s the individual I observe each day in the mirror, returning my stare. Today as I look at myself, is this the same person I looked at as me for so long? Is it the same person who was looking back at me yesterday or last week or last year? Were the changes so subtle, that I did not notice that a different me was looking back? 

What happens when we are moving without self-awareness? Changes occur in our lives mentally, physically, through health problems, and psychologically. Yet, we continue to follow the person in the mirror. Resisting the changes of difficulties and problems in our lives rather than growing from them. Situations that have impeded our lives. The endeavor to live life constantly adapting, all to stay true to the reflection in the mirror. 

We pray to get out of, rather than through situations; never knowing what’s on the other side. As we continue to recycle ourselves. We chose sameness over growth. We admire how others have made it in life. And sometimes, even wishing for their life as we look at the spoils reaped from their battle. Many only see the end of an individual’s journey, never knowing the battle required to get there. Not seeing the times when defeat was inevitable, but how they persisted and didn’t give up. After knowing their behind, the screen struggles, we resign in our mind and heart, being grateful not to have been in their shoes.

We are currently dealing with problems that our parents never had to confront. Often in many situations, we haven’t witnessed a modeled outcome for these challenges. Even considering my prior point about what they faced, I’m unsure our new generation would have succeeded. Our vocabulary is expanding to include words that reflect cultural shifts. When our parents and grandparents reached what we consider old age, they sit down and took life easy. 

In today’s society, parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents are still part of the workforce. For most, it’s not a matter of desire, but of necessity. They now face new demands in life. Life is demanding something different from all of us. Are we keeping pace with the world’s changes? Tomorrow, when you look in the mirror, pause and really look at yourself. Ask, “Is that my reflection I see...?” 

Thank you for joining me for Friday at Sundown. Remember… Just Breathe!

Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Dial 988

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you

800-273-8255

Domestic Violence

National Domestic Violence Hotline can help victims, survivors of domestic violence. Call 1-800-799-7233. Chat w/an advocate on our website. National Domestic Violence Hotline: www.thehotline.org/ 

Aid for Military Veterans

In an attempt to cope with the pain of overwhelming emotions, sometimes veterans turn to unhealthy relationships, at-risk behaviors, or substance abuse.

Welcome Home is Celebrate Recovery's (CR) tool to help veterans stuck in hurts, hang-ups, and habits. (These statements are from CR’s Homepage). You are not alone.

*Special "Thank you" to my brother in love J Anthony Spencer for the encouragement, editing and supporting me as a writer. I am grateful!