The Man in the Glass
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.
For it isn’t your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass.
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum
And think you’re a wonderful guy.
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.
He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear to the end.
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend
You may fool the whole word down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.
~Anonymous
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.
For it isn’t your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass.
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum
And think you’re a wonderful guy.
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.
He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear to the end.
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend
You may fool the whole word down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.
~Anonymous
This past weekend I attended two wedding dances for people from my high school. Needless to say - I saw a bunch of people from high school this weekend. It is always a challenge for me to see these people. I never felt like I really fit in. High school was a real trying time in my life. I realize now that I was/am just as much to blame for excluding myself. I see my old classmates now and its amazing that I can talk to some of them. I always felt so intimidated and not worthy. I know so much more now. I guess that is part of growing up and getting older.
The reason for the poem: I was looking through my senior yearbook - counting all the people that have gotten married and whatnot - and this poem was within the front cover. I remember putting it there years ago. I put it there to remind myself - everytime I look at that yearbook - to let it go. I don't want to look back and harbor any harsh feelings towards the select few that tried hard to make my life miserable. (Side note: These people know who they are...and chances are if you are reading this I kept in touch with you and you are not one of these people.)
It doesn't matter what people thought about me or think about me today. What does matter is what I think about me.
Some time ago I came to the realization that I wasn't going anywhere so I better just get used to it.
Yes I typed that sentence correctly...take a minute and read it again if you need to...I'll wait...OK now that you are sure you understood that sentence I'll continue on. For the longest time I was my biggest enemy. In high school - I tried to beat people to the punch line. When I thought someone was going to make a comment about me I tried to beat them to it. I had learned early on that slams don't hurt so much when you are the one doing the slamming. That defense mechanism works for awhile but then you become your own biggest enemy. Now seven years later - I am finally at peace with myself and with the ones who hurt me. As for me - I am friends with myself and I love life. My life isn't perfect - but it is mine and I am cool with that. As for the ones that hurt me the most - I hope your life is as good as mine.