Jayne Mansfield via Flickr by MsBlueSky
What you see in a mirror depends on so many things.
Are you looking at your reflection under sunlight or the gloom that can come at the end of the day, when the sun is setting?
Are you looking straight on or standing a bit to the left and only seeing a partial image of what is you?
Is what you’re seeing distorted by the shape of the mirror you choose?
Are you taking a 360 degree look at yourself and seeing all of what is you?
What Others See
In a salon after getting your hair cut, you gain a different perspective of your new ‘do when the stylist holds up the mirror so you can see how you look to the people whose only view of you will be when walking behind you.
You need to understand those views too, because too often your viewpoint of yourself is narrow or distorted or almost blinded by years of limited beliefs.
<sigh>
Yep, this is really a story about me.
I’m working with a coach to help me get to the next level in my business.
Unfortunately (and fortunately) part of that process is holding up a mirror to my actions. A mirror constructed of questions for me to answer. To ponder.
Fuck. I know coming of age, again, means learning new things about yourself. Or re-learning lessons that didn’t stick. And this is a normal part of continuing to learn and grow. Most days I like learning…love it in fact. But today – not so much. That’s because I know this is only the beginning of 6 months of a full body, surround-sound Question Mark Mirror being held up to me.
Her most recent question was:
What “story” or belief came up for you that made you hold back in enrolling [a potential client] more assertively?
Rationalization (said VERY LOUDLY IN MY HEAD): “I didn’t want to! She was crying. She was in pain. She would have to take money out of her savings.”
Truth: “I lost my confidence because I couldn’t guarantee that she would be saved from all her pain and problems.”
What I Need To Remember: Childbirth Hurts But It’s So Worth It
More truth: I’m stuck at 7 meters dilated and 60% effaced in “up-leveling” my business.
My coach is giving me Pitocin to induce contractions and get things moving.
That’s what I’d do with one of my clients, but agreeing with her delivery methods doesn’t reduce the pain. Not one bit.
I have to remember that the last time I was given Pitocin I ended up with a healthy, wonderful new life to hold, enjoy and love. <deep breath> It will happen again.
Once I go though all these induced labor pains I’m going to again deliver something very special – a new, even stronger, more joyful version of me.
I’d love to hear: What was the “Pitocin” that helped you take the next step toward what you want in your life?
I would love to get to know you! Join me on 
I’m sorry, I know I’m not supposed to laugh at this. But your pitocin metaphor has that great wry humor I associate with you. Push! Breathe! :D
Woah! Interesting post on many levels, as usual!
Having a business can be so painful and rewarding at the same time! Like birth! good luck to you my friend!
Hah! I had pitocin forced upon me when my (ungrateful) child decided “now” was not the optimal time to enter this earth. Mind you, he was eight days late at the time.
But yes, I delivered a beautiful baby boy, and have never been more happy and fulfilled.
Just a quick comment that may not go over well–the woman that you didn’t “push” to get as a client made choices in her life and that includes finances. Money is a wicked thing on many levels. It’s hard to listen to someone cry, and it’s tempting to feel sorry for them and not want to cause more stress. But she’s got choices, and maybe her crying was entirely sincere, and maybe she was hoping for a reduced rate…? Bottom line: You’re not the cause, and you’re not the cure. Not get to pushin’!
Doing a Google search on my novel, “Coming of Age…AGAIN,” I “fell into” your web site, read, and enjoyed. Kudos. But I have to admit I had never heard of Pitocin and had to do another search.
Your readers are my readers: my novel about four friends of a “certain age,” (62-3) who prove that with a mix of moxie, humor, wisdom, and a weekly mahjongg game, coming of age can happen more thanonce.
Given your sense of humor, you would probably enjoy it.
Carol Mizrahi
http://www.amazon.com/author/carolmizrahi
“Coming of Age…AGAIN”