While walking the dogs, I was transfixed watching a bird furiously pecking at the mirror of a car.
Several minutes later it was still attempting to damage its mirror image.
The process of mirroring came to mind.
Mirroring helps identify personal characteristics we want to change.
When we don't like an attitude or behavior in someone else, it is usually because they are "mirroring" an aspect of ourselves.
Like the bird, we'll keep pecking at the other person never realizing we are pecking at ourselves.
Viewing someone as a mirror takes a lot of guts.
We have to accept that what we dislike in others is actually within ourselves.
Yuck! Can that really be true? From personal experience, yes, it is true.
One day, I was seething about the know-it-all way a guy in a group was acting.
He discounted anyone else's opinion and pontificated every chance he got.
He was driving me crazy.
I didn't like how I was responding.
Going into my heart, I asked, "In what way are his actions related to me?" Soon, I identified how I would act the authority and not consider others opinions.
When I "heard" that answer I was chagrined.
I made the commitment to look learn how to manage that aspect of myself.
As soon as self-realization hit, the other person's behavior no longer grated on me.
Mirroring also helps us identify strengths.
Thinks of someone you admire.
What are the qualities you admire most in them? Now go into your heart and ask, how do I display those qualities in my life?" Try this yourself to identify both your strengths and weaknesses.
  At first, it may be difficult and uncomfortable, even for the strengths, but then, oh, the personal growth that comes!