Have you cheated 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 “the 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 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
And 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 world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass.
But your only reward will be heartaches and tears
If you’ve cheated “the man in the glass.”

[“The Man in the Glass” by Bill Parcell]

We’ve all encountered those people who are masterful at deceiving others. They talk a big game and put on a front, pretending to be things they are not. They can become so masterful at lying that they convince others, and perhaps even themselves, that they are all they have presented themselves to be.  But the one person they can’t deceive forever is the man staring back in the glass.

If a person truly wants to be good and become all they can be, they have no choice but to look that man in the glass right smack in the eye and acknowledge the true reflection of all that they are and all they have done. They have to humble themselves enough to acknowledge their mistakes and weaknesses and then be willing to take the necessary steps to implement real change in their life.

Whether a person continues to deceive and pretend, or whether they humble up and take responsibility to change, one way or another they will have no choice but to account for who that man in the glass truly is…and based on that their reward will either be heartache and tears, or happiness and joy…the choice is up to them.

Have a fantastic Monday everyone!

~Amy Rees Anderson

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