Dash of Courage: Reflections

"Self-reflection is the school of wisdom."- Baltasar Gracian

I just celebrated my birthday this past weekend. 

If you're anything like me, birthdays bring up a lingering feeling...am I doing any of this right?

The resume may say so, but what about the Man in the Glass?

When you look into the Mirror what do you see? think? feel?
I think that may just be the million dollar question.

I still see my heart getting crushed when my 1st girlfriend got into Harvard and then she broke up with me.

Maybe I'm not smart enough.

I see photos in a tuxedo around the world.

Maybe I'm hiding behind a suit hoping to feel smart.

I see dreams I had with my Dad, and he suddenly passed away.
Maybe I missed out on the love that I desperately needed.

I see a guy who always runs to the next adventure.
Maybe I'm not exactly sure what he's chasing.

I see a person that is well known.

Maybe I'm not known well, and that's on me.

Exactly 25 years ago this coming Saturday, a mentor of mine, Corey Stern, gave the UGA Commencement speech to 30,000 people. 

He moved the crowd to laughter and tears within a 10 minute speech. It was that very day I knew I wanted to speak like that and do the same with my life.

He ended with a poem: The Man in the Glass by Dale Winbrow Sr.

The Man in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self

And the world makes you king for a day

Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what the man has to say.

For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife
Whose judgement upon you must pass

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

He's the fellow to please—never mind all the rest
For he’s with you, clear to the end

And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on your back as you pass

 But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

Dash of Courage: It's been 25 years and I still think about that poem. I think the mirror embraces our mistakes as much as our magic. The question is do we? 

Have a Dash of Courage to lean into the strengths and the scars. Embrace both. They both made us who we are and you never know how one may encourage someone more than the other. It works both ways, in the Mirror...and in Life. 

Courage over Comfort,
Garrett