The things you love about others are the things you love about yourself.
The things you hate about others are the things you cannot see in yourself.*
I found this quote in a book I read, and it made me stop and think. Is this really true? When I see someone's behavior, do I love it because I also value it in myself?
I think the answer is yes. For example, I really appreciate people who are good listeners. I love this quality because I always try to listen to others carefully without interrupting or judging their stories. I value that trait in myself, so I admire it in others too.
However, the second part of the quote is harder to accept. When I dislike something in another person, it often acts like a mirror. Sometimes, I hate a specific attitude in others because I secretly have it in myself, but I refuse to admit it. Other times, I dislike it because it reminds me of a weakness I am trying hard to fix.
People are like mirrors for our own hearts. They help us see what we love about ourselves and what we still need to heal.
*) Brianna Wiest 101 Essays will Change the Way You Think (p. 16)
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