Defining Reflection: A Multi-faceted Practice

What does it mean to practice reflection? At first thought, it seems straightforward when thinking about reflection in our daily life like when someone says, “Why don’t you reflect on that for a while and get back to me?” Or in a therapeutic setting, “Reflect on how that makes you feel.” Even during an annual review, your employer may ask you to reflect on your contribution to a project.

All of these examples align with the basic definition of reflection: to give something serious thought or consideration. But there’s more to personal reflection than just thinking deeply.

To explore a deeper reflection practice further, consider three definitions I particularly admire from Merriam-Webster: (I underlined the words to pay attention to!)

• “A thought, idea, or opinion formed, or a remark made, as a result of meditation.”
• “Production of an image by or as if by a mirror.”
• “Consideration of some subject matter, idea, or purpose.”

In The Studio Authentic, we embrace all three definitions to cultivate a daily practice of reflection. I would bet you’re already figuring out where I’m going with this by those three simple bold words.

First, reflection means quieting the mind through creativity, allowing ideas to surface. Creativity = Meditation! The more you create, the more you meditate, opening up the opportunity for reflection. When you release fear by embracing the creative process, you open up the opportunity for deep reflection. Read more in Putting Trust in Creative Play.

Second, deep personal reflection requires a deep commitment to honesty – facing oneself with complete honesty to gain an unfiltered image of who we truly are. By seeing an unfiltered image of who you are, you can begin the journey toward who you truly want to become. Fear often paralyzes us because we don’t want to face our struggles, real or perceived. Accepting yourself exactly as you are and where you are is embracing your entire being. And this is when true reflection begins. I share more about these moments of honesty with yourself in Real Talk on Authenticity.

Third, reflection is where you find growth. It allows you to maneuver the twists and turns and put yourself in the most comfortable position to discover your purpose. Reflection helps you learn how to honor your natural rhythm, teaches you how to get the most out of each day, and helps you hone what makes you shine at your best.

Being task-oriented gets things checked off your list. But being reflection-oriented gets those things done that LEAD you to your truest purpose. There is nothing wrong with being task oriented. I am a very task-oriented person. But if there is no reflection behind it, you are simply checking items off your list not knowing where all that work is going to take you. Being reflection-oriented invites you to, expects you to, pivot to stay on course to discover your truest self.

Fifteen years ago, I found myself deeply unhappy. My career hadn’t gone as expected, we were in the throes of the Great Recession, I was financially struggling (Thank you, Great Recession!), and I was angry and frustrated. Life felt heavy and difficult and devoid of joy… with no clear end in sight. I was overworked and exhausted and to top it all off with a tart cherry… I was nearing my 40^th birthday.

This milestone, coupled with my dissatisfaction in all-things life, forced me to pause and honestly evaluate my life.

I asked myself three crucial questions:

1. How did I get here?
2. What can I be grateful for in THIS moment?
3. What do I need to do to ensure a big, fat, fun, whipped-cream-topped-celebration when I turn 50?

Amidst all this angst is when I began my practice with paper art. No matter how defeated I felt each evening, I went home, turned my business brain off, and folded paper. This creative outlet became my meditation. Through this daily practice, I was led to deeper reflection and was able to review my life’s path, distinguishing between what was within my control and what wasn’t. This honest evaluation brought peace and understanding and allowed me to think past the current situation.

Did I get that big, fat, fun, whipped-cream-topped celebration when I turned 50? You bet I did – and then some! It brought me here – to The Studio Authentic.

To wrap things up – Reflection is a multifaceted practice. It involves meditative thought, self-honesty, and creative exploration. It takes daily practice to get comfortable with it to a point where it becomes effortless. Allowing ideas to form through the act of creativity (meditation), developing an unobstructed image of oneself through complete honesty, we can discover genuine purpose moving forward in life. By accepting ourselves as we are and reflecting deeply on our current and past experiences, we can navigate our future paths with clarity and courage, moving toward the authentic lives we aspire to lead.

This is what The Studio Authentic is all about. I look forward to seeing you there!