Each morning when I wake up, my first spoken words are Thank You, said with zest while still in bed.

This sets a great tone for my thoughts as I prepare to get up and at it. Then when I do get up, I run to a mirror and greet myself with a bright Good Morning! What nice words to hear first thing each day!

I have mirrors all over my house and many people have commented on them. I like mirrors and have collected many antique ones. Each is unique and beautiful. I have a large beveled one that I use to check outfits and I also dance and play with that mirror. I have two oval mirrors that remind me of The Mirror on the Wall in the story, Snow White. Those are great for asking important questions like, who's the happiest one of all? Me! It's me! I have a round mirror that hangs by my computer so that I have a co-worker, cohort and co-creator for my writing. I never have to do anything alone.

I have a lot of fun with my mirrors, they reflect back to me what it looks like to be happy. I make faces at myself, laugh with myself, practice smiling, and best of all, I always know where to turn for a kind word and total understanding. My mirror self is my best friend. I'm always available to me.

This wasn't always so. Before I knew the power in my mirrors, I looked at myself with a critical eye and of course there was always something to criticize. Self-loathing and disdain were normal except for a few brief moments here and there.

Then I read about an exercise where you look in the mirror, look deep into your eyes and say I Love You. Wow! The first time I did that I burst into tears and wailed. Who knew I had such a strong desire for self-love? It was so powerful, I practiced it many times and little by little, started believing it. As time went on, I expanded my view with bigger mirrors and did the exercise while naked --- Bingo! I few years later, I saw a lecture by Dr. Chritiane Northrup and she spoke of this practice. I was so pleased that I was already up on that one.

A natural outcome of self-acceptance and all my practice with mirrors is that I can easily use that same soft eye when I look at others. It's easy to be kind to others because I'm kind to myself. It's easy to laugh with others because I laugh with myself. It's easy to be compassionate with others because I love myself. I know what these expressions feel like but I also know what they look like, so it's easy to recognize them when I see them in others.

Who knew my mirror collection was going to be such a powerful personal growth tool? Quick! Run to the mirror and tell yourself something wonderful and then do it often! You too can be your own best friend in no time!

Randy Sandknop©2007