The Man In The Mirror

He is always looking back at me, always understanding.

Every time I see him there is conflict in his eyes. He does not know what it is to lose, he is forever challenging me, demeaning me. The conviction in his eyes is almost unbearable to look into, his eyes pierce through me like the tip of a spear. That's exactly what he is, the tip of the spear. He forever leads me, he will never let me have the reigns, he is always the first to be there and the last to be drawn out. He is the man, in the mirror.

He always knows.

With a simple thought and an always knowing glance he tells me I can do better. What I eat that day he knows, he can see it in my reflection. How hard I pushed myself today, mentally or physically, he knows. He seems to rarely congratulate and always wants more. The man in the mirror is hard to please, he knows I am intelligent, he knows I am strong, that what I give is never enough, there is always progress to be made, day by day, week by week, year over year. The man in the mirror only wants me to be better. We are intrinsically tied together. My success is his and his mine.

He does not need the adoration of others.

The man in the mirror only wants my love, but the cost of his love is high. His demands are not subtle nor easily fulfilled, they require a lifetime of dedication to the craft. The “craft” is the improvement of one's self; he is tireless in his demands. It seems that he will dangle his love for me like a carrot that I can never reach but that forever leads me down my path. The carrot always stays the same, but the path becomes harder and harder, shaping me in his own image.

He will not quit

His motivation is consistent, it never stops. I want to quit and just hide; I stand in front of the man in the mirror and I know that he cannot be defeated. This motivates me to be better; I choose the harder path. The path of a warrior who will not accept defeat. No matter the outcome I will have victory. My muscles will tear, my mind will adapt, and I will be stronger.

He is I, and he, I.

I can never escape his judgment or praise. He is I and he, I.