Others as Mirrors

Often, we respond to others’ behaviour towards us (whether ‘good’ and ‘bad’, as we might perceive it) by behaving in just the same way (with them and even with others). In doing so, we become like them.

Because of this, we can become like the person whose behaviour we appreciate. But it can also happen that because of this, we become like the person whose behaviour we don’t appreciate, and so, our behaviour may begin to mirror theirs.

From this we can learn to be mindful of the company we keep and the interactions we have and to respond to other people's behaviour with awareness.