The Ugly... Swan?

I have a good friend that had a colorful tattoo on her arm.  It was one she got in high school, a mere trend at the time.  It wasn't enormous, but every time she looked in the mirror, she regretted the decision to get it.  The sad part is, tattoos are permanent.  You can attempt to get them removed, but as far as I am told, there will always be faint ink remaining.  She decided that instead of getting it removed, she would get a new tattoo over the top and create it into a tree, bold and beautiful.  The original tattoo is still there, but it has been rejuvenated into something she is proud of.  In an obvious way we need to stop dreading the regrets staring back at us in the mirror.  I think there is serious danger in seeing ourselves through the lens of criticism and assuming that our faults will never improve.  The sad part that I am discovering is that the worst flaw that I could ever have is not loving myself.  Why do I say that?  Because it inhibits all growth, positivity, and success.  If I were to desire for someone to fail, the greatest way of ensuring my success is to get them to believe in their own falsified insignificance. 

The scary part is, the devil probably believes in my capability more than I do.  If he didn't, he wouldn't spend so much time trying to convince me otherwise.

The biggest lesson I have learned in the last few months is how powerful my thoughts are.  If I want more, I have to make more and that starts in my mind.  As Zig Ziglar says, "It is impossible to consistently behave in a manner that is inconsistent with how we see ourselves.  We can do very few things in a positive way if we feel negative about ourselves."

It is obvious that I want to grow, but at times it isn't clear how.  It requires adopting a new mentality and an entirely new way of operating.  Sadly, I have been operating incorrectly for the last twenty something years and I need to readjust my focus.  Knowing this, the only way I am going to achieve this goal is by identifying the places and times I am most susceptible to thinking negatively.  The number one place is the mirror.  I need to be intentional about turning my place of negativity into something productive and positive.  I am learning to turn my reflection into a place of encouragement.  I am learning to be rejuvenated.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9