Mirror Magic: Transform Your Life
Unlock the Secrets of the Law of Reflection and Correspondence for Unprecedented Growth and Success
Hey money warriors!
I want to share something that has truly transformed my life, both emotionally and financially. It's called the Law of Reflection and Correspondence. Now, before you roll your eyes and think this is another one of those woo-woo concepts, let me tell you a story.
It invites us to see that whatever we judge positively or negatively in others exists equally within us. As within, so without; as above, so below; as in macro, so in micro. Our external world reflects our internal state.
A few years ago, I was in a tough spot. I had lost my husband and was struggling to keep everything together for my daughter and me. I felt constantly judged and misunderstood, which only added to my stress. I remember thinking, “Why is everyone so critical of me?” It felt like the whole world was against me, life itself was against me and I couldn’t catch a break.
Not long ago, I stumbled upon the idea of the Law of Reflection and Correspondence. The basic premise is that whatever we see in others—whether it's something we admire or something we despise—is a reflection of something within ourselves. This concept was a game-changer for me. It shifted my perspective in a way that nothing else had.
The Law of Reflection, simply put, means that the traits you notice in others are mirrors of your own traits. It’s like holding up a mirror to your inner world every time you interact with someone. This can be a tough pill to swallow, especially when it comes to traits you dislike. But let me tell you, embracing this idea can lead to incredible growth and self-awareness.
For instance, there was a time when I admired a friend’s confidence and charisma. She seemed to light up any room she walked into, and I often found myself feeling envious of her. One day, it hit me—my admiration for her confidence was highlighting a latent confidence within myself that I had yet to fully acknowledge and nurture. This realisation was like a light bulb going off in my head.
I began to see that I had been too focused on my insecurities, letting them overshadow my strengths. By recognising that the qualities I admired in her were also present in me, albeit in a dormant form, I started working on bringing out my own confidence. I took small steps, like speaking up more in meetings and trying new things that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Gradually, I noticed a shift. Not only did I start feeling more confident, but my clients benefited from this as well. My business started growing.
On the flip side, I also had to face the traits I disliked in others. I often felt envious of people who had larger accounting practices, more money, more this, more that or seemed more confident when speaking in public. I couldn’t stand their apparent ease and success. But when I applied the Law of Reflection, I asked myself, “What is this revealing about me?”
It wasn’t easy to admit, but I realised that I had a tendency to be overly critical, especially of myself. I held myself to such high standards that I often felt like nothing I did was good enough. Seeing this trait mirrored back at me through my feelings of envy was a wake-up call. It taught me to be kinder and more forgiving to myself and in turn, I became less critical of others.
This shift in perspective had a profound impact on my emotional well-being. I felt lighter, more at peace and more connected to the people around me. It also had financial benefits. As I became more confident and less self-critical, my work performance improved. I was able to take on new challenges and opportunities, which led to career advancement and financial stability.
I had a client who constantly compared her organisational skills to those of her colleagues, feeling inferior because she thought they were more efficient. When we explored what specific qualities she admired, she realised it was their time management and attention to detail. This led her to recognise that she had similar skills but had not been applying them consistently. Once she acknowledged this, she started to implement better time management practices and saw a significant improvement in her efficiency at work.
Another example involves a client who struggled with a colleague's arrogance. He found this colleague insufferable because he felt that arrogance overshadowed teamwork. When we delved deeper, he realised that he himself had moments of arrogance, particularly when he was stressed and overcompensating for feeling undervalued. This insight helped him work on his self-esteem and reduce those arrogant tendencies, ultimately improving his teamwork skills and relationships at work.
The Law of Reflection taught me that the world around me was not out to get me but was actually providing valuable feedback for my growth. By embracing this feedback, I was able to transform my life in ways I never thought possible. And that’s just the beginning.
The Law of Correspondence takes the idea of reflection a step further. It suggests that the external world mirrors our internal state. Essentially, what we experience in our outer world is a reflection of what's going on inside us. This concept was another big eye-opener for me and played a crucial role in my journey towards financial and emotional stability.
Taking the same examples of envying those who had larger practices, more money or seemed more confident when speaking in public. I used to think, “Why can’t I have what they have? What am I doing wrong?” This constant comparison was draining and it made me feel like I was always falling short.
The Law of Correspondence taught me to look within and understand that my external struggles were mirroring my internal state. I realised that my envy was not about their success but about my own perceived shortcomings. It was a tough realisation, but it pushed me to start addressing these internal issues.
I started asking myself tough questions: “What beliefs am I holding onto that are keeping me stuck? How is my self-perception affecting my reality?” By reflecting on these questions, I discovered a lot of limiting beliefs I had about myself and my capabilities. For instance, I realised that I doubted my worth and skills, which was directly impacting my ability to grow my practice and feel confident.
As I worked on shifting my mindset and building my self-esteem, I noticed changes in my external world. I became more proactive in seeking opportunities to expand my business. I invested time in personal development, learning public speaking skills, and networking more effectively. Slowly but surely, my practice started growing, my financial situation improved, and I felt more confident and capable.
This internal work was reflected in the external success I began to experience. It was as if the world was responding to the changes I was making within myself. The Law of Correspondence showed me that to change my outer world, I had to first change my inner world. This realisation was empowering and set me on a path of continuous self-improvement.
The Feedback Loop
One of the most profound lessons I learned from the Law of Reflection and Correspondence is seeing my perceptions of others as feedback. Instead of letting people push my buttons and letting the outer world dictate my emotions, I began to use these perceptions as a mirror to understand myself better.
For example, when I felt inferior to those who had bigger accounting practices or seemed more successful, I used to get frustrated and discouraged. But by seeing these feelings as feedback, I started to analyse why I felt this way. I realised that I was minimising my own achievements and exaggerating the success of others. This awareness allowed me to become more conscious, present, and cantered.
Instead of letting this envy eat away at me, I decided to thank those persons, at least mentally, for showing me what I needed to work on. This shift in perspective was transformative. I no longer put them on a pedestal or put myself in a pit. Instead, I recognised that they were reflecting parts of me that I needed to embrace and develop.
This new approach led to another mind-expanding realisation: everyone around me is here to help me learn to love myself. By thanking those who revealed my unconscious parts, I started to appreciate the role they played in my personal growth. This helped me put them in my heart and put myself in my heart, fostering a sense of empathy and connection. It doesn’t always work, as I’m human, but at least the awareness and the willingness to see things are there.
The next step on my journey was finding the upsides to what I thought was down and the downsides to what I thought was up. For example, when I felt resentful towards someone’s success, I looked for the benefits of my current situation and the potential downsides of theirs. This balancing act helped dissolve my judgments and brought a sense of completeness and fulfilment.
Practical Steps for Reflective Awareness
Understanding the Law of Reflection and Correspondence is one thing but applying it in your daily life is where the real magic happens. Here are some practical steps that have helped me embrace these concepts and create a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Step 1: Identify Specific Traits
Whenever you find yourself admiring or resenting someone, take a moment to pinpoint exactly what trait, action, or inaction you are reacting to. Be specific. For example, if you admire someone’s confidence, identify what they do that embodies this confidence. Is it their way of speaking, their body language or the way they handle difficult situations?
Step 2: Self-Reflection
Ask yourself, “Where and when do I display or demonstrate this same or similar trait, action or inaction?” This step requires honesty and introspection. It might be challenging to see these traits in yourself at first, but with practice, it becomes easier. If you admire someone’s confidence, recall moments when you have shown confidence, even if they were small or subtle.
Step 3: Own the Trait
Once you identify the trait within yourself, own it. Recognise that you have the same potential as the person you admire. Similarly, if it’s a trait you despise, acknowledge that you also possess this trait and understand how it manifests in your life. Owning these traits helps integrate them into your sense of self, reducing the need to project them onto others.
Step 4: Find Balance
When you find yourself reacting strongly to someone, either positively or negatively, take a moment to balance your perception. Ask yourself, “What are the downsides of what I admire?” and “What are the upsides of what I resent?” This step helps you see the full picture and appreciate the complexity of traits and actions.
Step 5: Express Gratitude
Thank the people who trigger these reflections, even if only mentally. Recognise that they are helping you grow by revealing parts of yourself that need attention. This shift in perspective turns potential resentment into gratitude and fosters a more positive outlook.
Working with the Law of Reflection and Correspondence can bring about remarkable BENEFITS in various aspects of life:
Social - By understanding that others reflect parts of ourselves, we can develop greater empathy and improve our social interactions. This awareness helps us build stronger and more meaningful relationships.
Familial - Reflective awareness allows us to see family members in a new light, reducing conflicts and fostering deeper connections. It helps us understand and appreciate their roles in our personal growth.
Professional - In the professional realm, this law helps us identify and address our own limitations and strengths. By working on our internal state, we can enhance our performance, seize new opportunities, and advance in our careers.
Financial - Understanding and working on our internal beliefs about money and success can lead to significant financial growth. By shifting our mindset and embracing our potential, we can achieve financial stability and abundance.
Spiritual - Reflective awareness deepens our spiritual journey by helping us understand the interconnectedness of all things. It encourages self-love, compassion, and a greater sense of purpose.
Mental - This practice promotes mental clarity and reduces internal conflicts. By balancing our perceptions and embracing all parts of ourselves, we achieve a more peaceful and focused mind.
Physical - Reflective awareness can positively impact our physical health. By reducing stress and fostering a sense of inner peace, we create a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.
But what I find most amazing about The Law of Reflection and Correspondence is that it helps us realise our worth and potential. By recognising and embracing our traits, we increase our "deserve level"—the internal belief that we are worthy of success and happiness. This shift in mindset opens doors to unimaginable possibilities and allows us to achieve our goals with confidence and grace.
In conclusion, the Law of Reflection and Correspondence, combined with balanced perceptions, can lead to a more fulfilling and harmonious life. By seeing others as mirrors and using these reflections for personal growth, you can unlock your potential and create a life filled with love, gratitude, and purpose.
If you find this concept as transformative as I did, why not take the next step?
Let’s work together in our coaching sessions to bring the hidden you alive. By exploring these principles, we can uncover the internal blocks holding you back and work to overcome them. Imagine the possibilities when you fully embrace your worth and potential.
Ready to unlock your potential and create a life filled with love, gratitude, and purpose?
Contact me today to schedule your first coaching session.
Let’s embark on this journey of self-discovery and growth together.
That’s a very interesting perspective. I never thought of it this way if I’m honest. Thanks for the insight 🤗