People Make Great Mirrors
Posted by Rebecca Fri, 16 Jan 2009 04:33:00 GMT
For people like me who are reclusive by nature, intentionally spending time with people can be difficult.
But it is a very good thing.
Being around someone different often reveals to me or reminds me of areas in my life that need work. I’m a fairly confident person, and on a really good day I’m probably too confident. In general I’m aware that I need improvement, but it is good to be reminded of specific areas.
For example, being around a person who considers things more carefully than me before forming opinions about them can serve as a reminder that it is not wise to jump to conclusions.
Being around someone who is not as vocal as I am can remind me that sometimes it’s good to keep your mouth shut. But I’m the fool who opens her mouth and removes all doubt. Sometimes there’s a pearl, but usually it’s just noise.
Being around someone who is more gracious to the human race in general can serve to remind me that I’m as arrogant in some ways as humanity, which I regularly berate as being arrogant.
I’m not beating up on myself here - just making a statement that relationships - whether they are acquaintances, friendships, romantic partners, siblings, parents, coworker - can serve a greater purpose than just fulfilling our basic needs for love and companionship. People can be instruments of revelation, so it’s good to be around them. They show us ourselves, sometimes when they aren’t even trying.