Fearless Fun Friday…Fun in the Bathroom Mirror….

 

Okay, here’s the scoop.  I have the ittiest, bittiest mirror on the boat. So, I don’t spend much time looking at myself. Like, I can’t even capture my reflection in passing…there isn’t anything to capture it with. I think that is why well..one: I am fascinated with mirrors when I am out and around in the world, and two: I never really care what I look like. 

Lori at http://janebenimble.com ran a contest on her blog a few weeks back.  The gist is there is a photo of a girl in a cap with a caption bubble next to her and you were supposed to fill in the caption bubble with her thoughts.  Well, *my* mind thought she was looking into the mirror giving herself a pep talk..and everyone else’s mind commented on her attire. And I realized I may be one of the few who uses the bathroom mirror for everything but getting ready.  And since my goal with this blog is to help you to look at things with a different perspective, I thought I’d share with you here what I do with my bathroom mirror.  Ha!!!!  Turn your mind off, put on your sense of humor, and come join me as we look into…

My Bathroom Mirror……

photos in main bathroom…. 

Granted, I have access to more than one bathroom with a mirror, but this is the one I primarily use.  One long one by the three sinks, and one full length one by the showers.  Anything I do here can also be duplicated on a smaller scale in my work mirror.  Anything to put the twinkle in my eye……

When I did have a home with my own personal bathroom mirror, I would decorate my mirror.  I usually see my mirror first thing in the morning (because I pop out of bed and head right for the shower) so I want my mirror to put me in a good mood.  I want it to reflect back to me Love, Light, Joy.  I would tape my affirmation card to it.  If I had a special photo or card,  I would tape that to it. If I had an upcoming event to go to I would tape the ticket to it. I would write with window marker or lipstick or some colorful something “I LOVE YOU” (yep, I’m one of *those*)…and it always made me feel good to read it.  It always made anyone else who was there to read it feel good as well.  I always had a candle near it so I could see the flame dancing in the mirror. 

My space at the mirror now is temporary, so no more decorating it.  However, I do bring my candle and I do bring a flower in a vase if I have one (and I sometimes leave it there for the pleasure of the next person).  I like candles and flowers.  Kind of sets the scene.  What do I do with my bathroom mirror?

Come along with me…

I still pop out of bead and head right for the showers, but to get to the showers is a long walk down the dock past about 14 boats, down the sidewalk past whoever is out walking, and into the bathroom. I get up at 3am for work, so it’s usually dark and quite cold.  I am usually not happy about leaving my comfortable, warm bed to head out to the cold to get to the shower.  On clear mornings (still night to me), I can see the moon and stars.  So, my grumpiness subsides a bit. I head into the bathroom, look into the mirror and begin my conversation…something like…good heavens it is so cold..blah blah blah…then okay get over yourself this is the life you’ve chosen.  Little pep talk to begin my morning.

I set up my ‘station’/claim my space by putting out all of my toiletries and my candle or flower.  To raise my vibration I listen to music.  At this time of day it is music with a funky beat, get your groove going music.  Back to the mirror, see if my dance moves are even semi close to those I’ve seen in the latest music video.  Some moves can get quite crazy.  Sometimes I lip synch.  Sometimes someone walks in.  They always smile.  I always smile back, then keep on dancing.  Sometimes they ask what I’m listening to.  Sometimes they listen for a bit with me.  They never ever dance though…..

On days that I don’t have to work, it’s the same scene, only this time it’s around 6am when qutie a few others are getting ready.  I will tell you this.  Honestly.  I don’t know if they mind my routine.  I do know if I’m crunched for time and not listening to music or haven’t prepped my station, they ask what is wrong.  I like that.

A quick sidenote…Wilma http://wilmasblog.com wrote a blog piece about women at the well.  At the marina, our well is the girl’s bathroom.  While we get ready, we all stand in a row and we talk.  Sometimes we talk and talk and can literally be in there hours as more people come in. A regular gab fest.  And then if one of us is getting dressed for something special, we need to talk about the outfit, the occasion, all of it…Truly takes most of the morning.  The guys swear this *does not* happen in their bathroom.  They say they go in, do their business, come out.  No conversing, catching up….hmm…

So, after my music routine, I feel pretty good.  After my shower, I’m back to the mirror.  Sometimes the full length mirror to check my moves, sometimes the long mirror.  If the kids are with me, we do outrageous hairstyles, silly faces, play the don’t blink don’t smile just stare game…anything just to get the other two to laugh.  And we laugh and laugh.  And if the entire harbor hears *that* well good, shouldn’t you wake to laughter? 

If the kids are not with me, I move on to my next pep talk.  As in look at those eyes, windows to your soul, then I look at my eyes from every angle to see my soul from different perspectives.  That usually leads to mug shots.  I crack myself up everytime.  Or I literally give a pep talk to myself…full blown conversation complete with emphasis on important words…very animated at times.  I tell myself exactly what I think. And when someone walks in the middle of that…they usually have a who are you talking with look? (It helps to be able to quick put my cell phone to my ear, but I’m usually not that quick!)

Probably the most outrageous thing I do in the bathroom mirror is belly dance.  I perform in public, so when I want to practice at home and get the full view, the only place to practice is my bathroom.  I get in my hip skirt with my sword and I do as much of the routine as possible in the mirror.  Complete with flair and balancing the sword on my head. Long ago, Kaitlyn had a plastic Legoland sword and she would imitate me which was hysterical for both of us…but she stopped doing that because she felt she would be embarrassed if someone walked in.

That’s the thing.  There comes a time when we decide we are too old, too cultured, too something…for fun.  When we’d rather squelch our silliness than be caught in a potentially embarrassing situation.  I like making others laugh, so if you happen to walk into the middle of our fun in the bathroom mirror, and you smile, I feel good about it.  I also know how to laugh at myself, so I encourage you to laugh with me. And I just bet that you look at your bathroom mirror a little differently the next time you walk by….

Much peace,

Joy

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  1. #1 by Lucy on May 14, 2010 - 1:09 pm

    Thanks for your post. I really am enjoying this.

  2. #3 by The Exception on May 14, 2010 - 1:39 pm

    Joy –
    This was fun to read. I love candles but rarely use them. Ideally, I love to shower in the natural light – I love natural light over electricity any time of the day thus the shades in my house are rarely drawn (and I crave skylights when I can find them)
    I remember dancing and having fun in front of the mirrors when I was younger. Moving one to create multiple reflections of myself and the funny faces etc. When I wasn’t able to see much in the mirror anymore, I love interest. My daughter dances, sings, and struts her stuff in front of an extensive bathroom mirror – and I hope that she has fun with it her entire life. I hope that she sees the person that she is over using it to try and put on masks or criticize herself or expect something she is not.

    It is interesting to have an idea of what others see when they look in the mirror. I see a vague outline of a shape… which allows me to actually “see” whatever I want to see – I can see myself as the person I am or use my imagination.

    (I need to find some of those pens though as what a fun way to leave messages for my theater bound daughter!)

    • #4 by unfoldingyourpathtojoy on May 17, 2010 - 11:22 am

      The Exception,
      Window markers are fabulous!!!! Ours are Crayola, and multicolored so most fun….everything you did as a child, you may still do now. Perhaps you’ve lost you’re innocence since then, but I bet you have tons more Spirit, and Spirit loves to celebrate:) I think it’s interesting you have such a vague view of yourself…I like to see myself clear as day because clarity helps me to focus my energy in the right places for me.

      • #5 by The Exception on May 26, 2010 - 3:38 pm

        Hi Joy – It is that I am unable to see myself in the mirror so what I see with my eyes is a vague outline of a person – what I see with my mind is an entirely different thing!

      • #6 by unfoldingyourpathtojoy on May 26, 2010 - 4:20 pm

        The Exception,
        I love your insight.
        I am known to be quite “Ethereal” thus the name on my boat. Yesterday I was thinking that to best experience me, one needs to turn off their mind and experience with their senses. And frankly, isn’t that a pretty valid way to experience life as well?
        What I see in the mirror is my physical self, which is why I look at my eyes–I try to view my soul through every angle:)

  3. #7 by Sulwyn on May 14, 2010 - 2:01 pm

    That sounds like fun! I spent much of my younger years in Ballet, which can teach you to fear mirrors like nothing else – eat an apple before class and the teacher will probably see it and comment that you are not as svelte as usual – not to mention the constant scrutiny of yourself to make sure your body is in just the right position. I’ve studiously avoided tight clothes and large mirrors ever since I had to quit dancing due to an injury and then gained weight through the years. Now I just sort of have a utilitarian attitude toward them. I love hearing about the fun things you do with your mirror time! Perhaps I can make friends with my mirror again…

    • #8 by unfoldingyourpathtojoy on May 17, 2010 - 11:24 am

      Sulwyn,
      I spent my younger years in ballet as well…I learned then to view the mirror as my friend because I couldn’t tell who else in the room was. I loved to watch myself learn to dance, just as now I love to watch myself practice yoga. The mirror allows me to see my strengths that I couldn’t otherwise….

  4. #9 by Sara on May 14, 2010 - 4:36 pm

    Joy — I want to be you!! I love your mirror treatments…not only the routines, but how you treat the mirror as a friend and not a foe. It’s a healthy attitude.

    I was really taken by how you look at your eyes in the mirror so you see your soul at different angles.

    Most of all, it sounds like have fun. I don’t know if I could even manage a smile if I had to get so early in the morning.

    There is so much “joy” in you. Thanks for sharing this:~)

    • #10 by unfoldingyourpathtojoy on May 17, 2010 - 11:20 am

      Sara,
      I try to manage a smile in all situations…because there is always something to be grateful for….
      My bathroom routine is also how I view life…do what I have to, and enjoy all of the rest…actually, enjoy it all of the time when possible:)
      I do want to see my soul at different angles..I tend to have a narrow perspective of myself, so I like to see my many facets reflected back to me.

  5. #11 by Wilma Ham on May 14, 2010 - 10:44 pm

    Hi Joy and everybody here at Joy’s bathroom *well* to talk about how we use the mirror. I so love this about blogging.
    For a long time I did not look in the mirror to see who I was, I just used them to do my business, grumped about what I saw and then quickly left to get on with the day. I also did not look at myself, because what the person I saw I did not like either.
    Now I do look in the mirror and love what I see. Because my face is me, my face is an expression of who I am. My smile is me, the laughter in my eyes is me, I am an expression of God, who am I to not like what I see because I do not look like a model?
    Yes, the mirror has taught me a lot and has become my friend, like I have become my own friend and now I can become someone else’s friend. Funny, I now have good times with others in bathrooms as well.
    Awesome Joy, hugs Wilma

    • #12 by unfoldingyourpathtojoy on May 17, 2010 - 11:18 am

      Wilma,
      Such beautiful insight in your comment. I will savor each and every line of it. When you did not like yourself, you did not look, you were all business…isn’t that how life is as well? When I am least pleased with myself I am least interactive in the world.
      You are an expression of God…I will take it one step further…we are a reflection of God. So I want to reflect the best I possibly can, and shoot if I can get God to smile…
      Thank *you* Wilma

  6. #13 by Zeenat{Positive Provocations} on May 15, 2010 - 2:11 pm

    HI My dear sweet Joy! Youre so amazing! You are a shining star in all you do…dancing, writing, mirroring and most of all living.
    Like Sara said…I would love to be you 😉 Those bathroom mirror sessions you have sound like so much fun….
    I have my own little mirror routine..its called Haaniya(my 3 yr old) and Me +tickle fest kissy kissy in front of the mirror 😉 But due to obvious falling down on the floor reasons while in this routine..i stick to my bedroom mirror 🙂
    But youre right..I’m gonna view my bathroom mirror differently from now on for sure….
    You’re such an inspiration Joy! Love you for that.
    Much love and bug hugs…ooopppppsss Big Hugs 😉
    Z~

    • #14 by unfoldingyourpathtojoy on May 17, 2010 - 11:15 am

      Zeenat,
      Thank you!!! *grin*
      I love your tickle fest routine–I can imagine the laughter…..
      I made the bathroom mirror routine up because sometimes it’s a bear to actually pull myself out of my warm comfortable bed and get to the showers..it makes it tons better knowing I have something to look forward to:)

  7. #15 by Jodi Sloane on May 18, 2010 - 3:44 pm

    Seriously Joy, with mornings like that–what else do you need? Thanks for this little peek at your life–I love it!! 🙂

    • #16 by unfoldingyourpathtojoy on May 19, 2010 - 4:00 am

      Hi Jodi,
      My life is as simple as I allow it to be; it is these moments that I feel most authentically Alive:)

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