Mesmerized by what we see and imagine

Our family has a snow day tradition.  We watch old videos from when the kids were younger.

And they are glued to the screen, amazed to witness their former selves.  Squeaky voices, hyper activeness, and almost forgotten experiences.  We are mesmerized by what we see as well.  Jumping in the kiddie pool holding hands, bringing home the new kitten, climbing on the playhouse that is now too small.

With the past, we can see and hear what we looked and sounded like.  We can step back into that experience just a little bit.

But, have you ever looked into the mirror and imagined yourself older?  Peered in to behold your 65 or 85 year old self?  It’s near impossible to do, but have you tried? Take a long look in the mirror, right in the eyes, and attempt to catch a glimpse of what is to come.

Sure, thoughts of fear and dread may occur to you at first, but allow a gracious view to emerge. Imagine yourself more compassionate, loving, wise, and generous.  See the knowledgeable perspective emanating from the grey hair, courageous experience residing in those deep wrinkles, the graceful knowing glistening in those eyes.

What will you have learned?  How will you have become better?  What will you have overcome?  How many people will you have helped?  What kind of life will you have lived?

Imagine what you will look like some day.

You’ll be glued to it.

Hopefully, you’ll be glued to it enough to live into it.

Worth Repeating

Our brain accepts what the eyes see, and our eye looks for whatever our brain wants.

-Dan Gilbert