Reflections on the Water

My wife and I went camping at a mountain lake community to “escape” from the city and the Phoenix heat this past weekend.

While we were there, we decided to go fishing. As we sat on the bank of the lake and patiently waited for the fish to bite, I looked at the reflections on the water.

On the other side of the lake were houses and barns and trees and things. I noticed that the reflections were larger then the real images of the houses, the trees etc. The reflections also were a little distorted. And then it hit me…

The reflections on the water are like a lot of people. The images some people portray are larger then the people themselves and their reflections are also distorted. Let me explain.

My wife works with a woman, that has self image and self esteem issues. This woman always has to exaggerate about the things she has done, the places she has gone and things about her life. She always has to “brag” about her husband and how young he is and how handsome he is and how rich he is. She can’t be content to tell the story of her wedding in Las Vegas and the wonderful limousine ride after the wedding, she has to tell of the two limousines they rode in their wedding. How can you be in two limousines at once?

This woman has to tell of the beauty contests she has been in, the important jobs she has held and the singing and talent contests she has won.

If one person is buying a new car and is telling others of it, then this woman is buying a newer and a better car. If one person has taken a trip to San Diego and has gone to Sea World, then this person also went to Sea World and actually had her picture on the giant video screen holding and hugging Shamu. Wow, everyone saw her image on the big screen.

This woman is a gossip and tries to make herself better by putting other people down and by extension, making herself seem better in comparison.

What reflection is she showing? Is it a true reflection of herself? No, it is a refection of herself that is distorted and much bigger than in real life. The problem is, some people believe these lies and just like the beauty on the lake, want to believe that everything they see (or hear) is the truth. It is sad, because the lies and the gossip are hurtful to the people that are the subject of the lies. Once said, the hurt is done and cannot be undone.

In this case, the image…the reflection that this woman is showing is an ugly image. It isn’t beautiful like the images at the lake.

Some people are sad, little people that have to ridicule and make fun of others to make themselves seem bigger and better.

Please watch yourself and what you say and do. Remember, the lake is reflecting your image to the world.