August 5: People are Mirrors

A psychologist once asked a group of college students to jot down, in 30 seconds, the initials of the people they disliked.  Some of the students taking the test could think of only one person. Others listed as many as 14.

The interesting fact that came out of this research was this: those who disliked the largest number of people were themselves the most widely disliked.

When we find ourselves continually disliking others, we ought to ask ourselves the question, “What’s wrong with me?”

Very likely, if we develop an aversion to those around us, it isn’t because they deserve our judgment or condemnation, but because we are lacking in some particular quality we profess to see missing in them.  Other people are mirrors, in the sense that what we see in them is a reflection of ourselves.

Wine and music gladden the heart, but the love of friends is better than either.  (Sirach 40:20)

Enable me, Lord, to see the best in people, and in turn,

bring out the best in myself.