Life has a way of pulling us in so close that we forget to see the whole picture. We move from task to task, reacting to what is in front of us, until the days blend together. In this constant motion we rarely stop to ask who we are becoming.
Mindfulness is not simply a practice of sitting still with closed eyes. It is the discipline of examining your own life. If you never step back to look at yourself, you will drift without direction. A man who does not reflect on his character will one day wake to find he has become someone he never intended to be.
One of the most valuable tools for this is the third person perspective. Imagine yourself as another might see you. Rise above your own body and watch from a bird’s view. Or step into the eyes of a close friend, a family member, or even a stranger passing by. Ask yourself what you notice. How would you judge this person’s character? What habits stand out? Do you respect their way of living? Do you even like them?
From this view you may see truths that are hidden when you look only from within. Perhaps you notice small patterns of weakness or pride. Perhaps you see strength that you have not acknowledged. You may realize that you speak one way and act another. You may find that the direction you are walking is not leading where you wish to arrive.
This perspective is not meant for shame but for clarity. It gives you the ability to suggest to yourself what you might suggest to a friend. Change this habit. Mend this relationship. Speak more carefully. Stand with more purpose.
It is essential to view yourself in this way from time to time because this is how the world sees you. No one else can hear your thoughts or your intentions. They only see your actions and the way you carry yourself. If you want your life to be aligned with your values, you must make sure that the person others see is the person you truly wish to be.
Do not wait until a crisis forces you to examine your life. Build the habit now. Step outside yourself regularly. Look with honest eyes. Correct your course as needed.
A life left unchecked will wander. A life examined from above can walk with intention.
