Mirror, Mirror

 

Pride is a strange thing, both literally and figuratively. It can make us fall from great heights, turning angels into demons. Or it can lift us up, providing an expansion of self-worth and a widening of what’s possible. Because there are different kinds of pride, aren't there? There's the ugly kind of vanity that comes with delusion and entitlement. Seeing ourselves as better than others, through some imagined metric that’s in fact an overwhelming aversion to self-knowledge.

I mean, there are actual reasons that vampires hate looking into mirrors. It's not because they cannot reflect, but because the act of self-reflection is terrifying. They don't want to see themselves. They would rather be distracted with endless, shallow novelties. Insight implies growth, of course, and change. Monsters and mercenaries are terrified of that kind of internal evolution. If they never look, they never have to face themselves. Better to keep feeding on the weak with their own eyes firmly closed, right? But that's how the human spirit is corrupted. How the soul darkens, becoming a twisted mockery of itself. Wings of heavenly light slowly burnt away, until eventually a nightmarish, thoughtless creature stands in the angel's place.

Then there's the healthy kind of pride. The satisfaction of a job well done. The true insight that comes with facing your fear, or accomplishing a particularly difficult task. Watching as you slowly develop a skill through dedication and practice. That's the kind of pride that makes us brighter than we were, not darker. When we move through the world with courage, kindness and integrity we are honouring love as the highest language. None of us are perfect or without flaws, but when we can display genuine love for ourselves and others – that’s the true grammar and syntax of the soul. 

What I’m trying to say is that we should be warmed by other people’s successes, not threatened by them. Because those small victories mean the good guys are winning, if only for those brief moments. We remain human in an inhumane environment. We protect what’s important, and honour it. That's when we feel closest to our Maker, and to each other. When we’re moved by another’s good fortune, or their hard-won wisdom. In this way we treat others with the compassion and respect we ourselves hope for. Today as adults, but also back when we were children. We all wanted to be uplifted, delighted and inspired when we were young, didn’t we? Protected, guided and mentored by those who were bigger and stronger than us. That's when our pride is earned, I believe, and genuine. When we're not only unafraid to look ourselves in the mirror, but when we can truly look ourselves in the eye – and like what we see. Because then we don't find vampires or fallen angels reflected back at us. Instead we find heroes and heroines. Imperfect, perhaps. But courageous. And real.