The Guy in the Glass

This has already proven therapeutic.  The blog is providing a forum for me to put thoughts into words for nobody in particular...other than myself. It has me feeling very introspective all of a sudden.

A former boss of mine (who I'm convinced sees a shrink on a regular basis) cautioned me to be better in touch with how I feel...and not always be driven by what I think.

My dad used to tell me growing up, "you can't control how you feel, but you can control how you behave" and to "always do your best."

I've spent the last few days feeling really badly about my performance playing for District 5 this past weekend.  While some teammates told me I'd done a good job, I can't help feeling like I let them down.  I sent an email to the group this morning, hoping to provide some motivation for them as we prepare for Regionals in a few weeks. One of them replied with a poem she memorized in high school...about judgement from the man in the mirror.  I found it particularly touching....and it reminds me that the standards we set for ourselves are the standards we choose to live with.  It reminds me that I can be better.  Today I will be a better husband, father, and teammate.
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The Guy in the Glass by Dale Wimbrow, (c) 1934


When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,
And think you're a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the guy in the glass.