Ewe Bee U

Self-Reflection

I came upon a poem that my oldest son Breck wrote when he was in 5th grade.  The assignment from Mrs. Goff (best teacher ever!!) was to look in a mirror and write a poem about what you saw.  Breck is an ancient soul and is wise beyond his human years.  In his youth he grappled with many complex things – an ADHD diagnosis, a difficult and scary blood disease, regular night terrors and trouble sleeping and a general sense of not being understood.

Over the years he has come into his own, found his stride and his rhythm and I smile as I think about the strong, comfortable young man he has become.  But I continue to be in awe of the energy he senses and his deep self-awareness.  For an eleven year old boy to write the words below takes my breath away and makes the hair on my arms stand straight at attention.

In a world seemingly filled with doubt – global doubt, national doubt, relationship doubt and self-doubt, I think many of us feel misunderstood and unseen.  We’ve allowed ourselves to become prisoners to the opinions and judgments captured in the superficial appearances and sound bytes put in front of us. 

I know that I am infinitely more complex than any label, selfie, social media post, blog, local gossip, slogan or mirror can project of me.  And so is everyone else in this complex universe.  So, if like me, these unsettled times have left you feeling misinterpreted and unappreciated, stop doubting yourself and instead, doubt the accuracy of the mirror and the one-dimensional reflection that it is projecting. 

Breck’s words, written as a young boy, remind me that others cannot begin to conceive the countless facets and possibilities of me or of you.

I See What You Don’t 

I see my face upon the wall,

I see my distinct features,

I see what is on the outside,

I see not what is on the inside,

I see what I know I don’t,

I see what can’t be described,

I see things that no one else can,

I see the obvious,

I see what is inside my head,

I see that I’m straying from the subject,

I see that I don’t always see with my eyes,

I see the horrid memories,

I see the scary dreams,

I see the past,

I see the future,

I see you,

I see the mirror,

I see no reflection of me.

Breck Keller - April 17, 2011

Get Real.  Be The Ugly Duckling.  Be The Black Sheep.  Celebrate The Individual.  Celebrate The Possibility.  Guard The Sacred.  Laugh At Yourself.  Seek Beauty.  Think Deeply.

- Ewe Bee U

* Breck in 2011, the year he wrote these words.

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