Meaning of Reflection
Do you take time out for reflection and how important do you feel it is? In this article, we’ll talk about the importance of reflection and how to take the time for reflection. First of all, the meaning of reflection is a time for serious thought, contemplation or consideration. It can include everything from meditation to taking a walk outdoors to clear your head and think.
When light, heat or sound is reflected off a surface, it is bounced back in your direction. (Just as when you look in a mirror, your image is bounced right back to you.) The beauty and importance of reflection is the fact that by taking time for contemplation, there is a greater chance of experiencing refreshment and revitalization with energy bounced back to you.
A walk around my neighborhood, which includes a couple small hills, gives me time to reflect. I’m fortunate enough to see both the mountains above and the city below. When I’m faced with what seems like a huge obstacle, experiencing the beauty and magnitude of what I see on those 30-minute walks helps me put much of life back in perspective.
Stress and Reflection
With the amount of stress most people carry, not only professionally but personally, it is important to find some way to take a little break in your day; even a mini-walk. Studies show that heart disease, along with cancer, are the top two killers of Americans. With the influx of information online and from many other sources, taking the time out to just think and reflect on not only your work, but on the beauty around you will sharpen that image you see of yourself in the mirror.
You don’t have to book in time at a monastery or plan a whole week of meditation to benefit from reflective time. In fact, short spurts, even daily, usually work better in the long run. This is extremely helpful, especially during holiday times!
Let’s equate this with eating. When you are famished before a holiday meal, looking forward to every morsel, how much can you really eat at one sitting? The reality is, you can only eat so much at one time. If you have experienced overeating, as most have, myself included, you may face indigestion and feeling sick. Also, even after eating a big meal, you will probably be hungry again in the near future! You may not be starving by the next mealtime, but usually at least by the next day.
Short Spurts
Your body and spirit need a break and time out to reflect. The best HOW answer I can give you is to schedule in those short spurts of time. Then do something creative that will work for you. Take your walk on your lunch break. If you’re in a populated area, make a small corner in your office as a little retreat place. Or find a favorite park or tree at least once a week to sit and have lunch.
Major stars have trouble taking time out like this as they’re easily recognized. Be thankful that you have the freedom to do so. You may want to follow a bit of their example by wearing a scarf, hat or earphones if you’d like to be left alone. However, don’t be tempted to then fill your earphones with lots of music!
Take the time to listen to your surroundings and to the voice within you. Don’t be afraid to do this-I know it can be scary for some. You actually might start liking that reflection you see in the mirror!So don’t delay in scheduling reflection time now. Also, make a note of HOW you plan to do it. This will put a further step of action in your plan and increases the likelihood of it actually happening! I’m rooting for you!