Reflection

When you look in the mirror, who do you see?

As I type, I'm trying to see the keyboard through the tears in my eyes.

I'm watching "The Lion King" with my family. I've seen it a hundred times at least. I used to cry when Simba's father died, but that part doesn't make me cry anymore. The part that brought me to tears tonight was when Simba was looking at his reflection.

If you haven't seen this fabulous animated Disney picture, it's worth the rent. Here's the scene:

Simba is supposed to take his father's place as King after his father is killed by a wildebeast stampede. However, Simba thinks his father's death is all his fault and he is ashamed and scared so he runs away. He meets 2 friends who convince him he should run from his past, "Hakuna Matata" they tell him, which means "No worries". While this sounds good, the past catches up.

A wise monkey, named Rafiki, tells Simba that his father is still alive. He convinces Simba to follow him and he'll show him where he is. Simba is led to a lake. Rafiki tells Simba to look into the lake and he will see his father. Simba looks and only sees his own reflection to which he states, "That's not my father, that's only my reflection." And Rafiki replies, "Look harder. He lives in you." That's when I lost it. My family just looked at me like I was crazy. The tears started and I couldn't get them to stop.

How many times do I look at myself and only see me. But truly there is much more to me that what is seen on the outside. My Father is there. Look harder. He lives in me.

My feelings of unworthiness leave me in a state of hopelessness, just like Simba. My past actions tell me that I'm not capable of making a difference in my world today. My failures convinced me that I could never be a success and the world would be better if I just kept quiet. All lies.

The piece of me that enables me to rise up and meet each day with optimism and gives me the strength to keep going is He Who lives in me. My Father is there. Look harder. He lives in me.

The movie doesn't end there and neither does my life. (or yours) Simba's father appears in the sky and tells him, "Remember who you are." In other words, because of who you are and who lives inside of you, you do not have to run away. You are worthy. You are beautiful.

Rafiki the wise monkey then hits Simba on the head with his stick. Simba says, "Ouch! What did you do that for?" Rafiki replies, "It doesn't matter, it's in the past." To which Simba states, "Yea, but it still hurts." Yes, Simba, I can relate, it does hurt. But it doesn't mean we are to quit and consider ourselves done for.

Rafiki tells Simba that he can run from his past or he can learn from it. He goes to hit Simba one more time. Simba moves and doesn't get hit. Why? Because he learned from the past. Simba returns home to fight for his rightful place as King and saves his kingdom from evil.

Look at yourself in the mirror. What do you see?

Look harder. Now what do you see?

Blessings,

Melissa