Pondering Pundit

Imagine a world without mirrors. No reflections, no selfidentity, no vanity. How different would this world be without these things? Not much, I think Just because we can’t see our own reflections in a world without mirrors, everyone else can.

Self-reflection is a great thing to master. Taking the time each day to filter through what you have said or done. This promotes growth and wisdom, two things everyone should strive for. Sure, a mirror will let you know how you look, how your hair looks and even the aging of your face. Look a little deeper into the mirror and you can even see what the eyes are saying. But a mirror can never tell you what your heart is saying or what your mind is saying. This takes selfreflection.

What exactly is self-reflection? It’s meditation or serious thought about one’s character, actions and motives.

Character, actions and motives. These are three words that can and will define who we are and what we are about. Without these attributes there is not much to say about a person.

There are good character traits and bad ones. But how do you define a person’s character or even your own character? Character has many facets to it. Things like integrity, honesty, loyalty, respectfulness, responsibility, humility, compassion, fairness, forgiveness, authenticity, courageousness, generosity, perseverance, politeness, kindness, self-discipline, just to name a few of the good traits. There are also bad character traits, and they are the opposites of the good ones.

It’s easy to look at another and pick out their character traits, but can you honestly sit down with yourself and look at your own traits. How did you measure up?

A person’s actions are another area of key importance. If your actions do not support your character traits, then that makes your character flawed and unpure. Managing your character traits to coincide with your actions takes work, lots of work. After all, we are all just human and mistakes are and will be made, however, it is how we adjust to those mistakes that determines our growth and wisdom.

Finally, there is our motives. Believe it or not, there are folks out there that will use their character and actions as motives to get the things they want. Motive is a slippery slope. Having the right motive toward the things we do will increase the likelihood that our character and actions are pure. But using a bad or harmful motive to accomplish something can not only be devastating to the person but also to those around them. Be careful when it comes to your motives. Be sure that what you’re doing, saying or acting on reflects your character and action, otherwise you could find yourself to be known as a person with low character, or worse.

Which brings me to our politicians.

Do you know their character, actions and motives? You should. And they should all be the shining example of excellence when it comes to character, action and motives. But sadly, those type of politicians are far and few between.

But that does not mean we the citizens can’t hold them accountable for their character, actions and motives. Yes, we the voters can force their hands. We can demand that our leaders show great character traits, and that their actions reflect the best interest for us and that their motives are driven for us and not for their self-gain. After all, they are our public servants and we need to hold them to that standard.

My hope is that our politicians do take time every day for self-reflection. I hope they are people of integrity and honesty and I hope that the citizens of this county, city and village also reflect on who they are and what they believe. Because it’s hard to hold a politician to high standards when we ourselves are not setting the bar.

What does your reflection look like?

Happy reading Cibola