Mirrors and Perceptions: Do Others See You Clearly?

Essential Mental Healing

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It's Therapy Thursday

Authenticity begins in the mirror, but what happens when the reflection others see doesn't match your self-image? In this deeply reflective conversation, I'm joined by my mother to untangle the complex web of perception, identity, and the courage to be truly seen.
We start by examining those uncomfortable moments when we hide parts of ourselves that feel too vulnerable, only to discover these very traits are plainly visible to everyone around us. My mother shares wisdom about doing our best each day, whatever that means in the moment, while I confess my tendency to overthink how I'm perceived by others.
The discussion shifts to social media's role in creating artificial hierarchies based on follower counts and polished presentations. We talk candidly about how easy it is to look at someone's professional website or content and assume their life is perfectly together – and how we've both been guilty of making these assumptions about others while knowing the complexities behind our own public personas.
One of the most powerful segments explores our community service work, specifically community baby showers we've organized. We discuss the importance of maintaining people's dignity through meaningful giving rather than performative charity. My mother shares heart-wrenching observations from her years working with vulnerable populations, highlighting how even well-intentioned help can feel humiliating when not approached with genuine respect.
What emerges is a powerful conversation about staying rooted in purpose over popularity, focusing on meaningful connection rather than validation, and the courage to show up authentically despite the risk of judgment. We explore how family relationships shape our self-perception, with touching reflections on intergenerational wisdom from my great-grandmother to my own daughter.
If you've ever felt the tension between your authentic self and how others perceive you, this conversation offers compassionate insight and practical wisdom for bridging that gap. Listen now to discover how aligning your internal compass with your external presentation might be the most powerful form of healing available.

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Host Candace Fleming
Co-host Janet Hale
visit the website at https://www.essentialmotivation.com/
visit the store at https://shopessentialmotivation.com/
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visit Janet's website https://haleempowermentllc.com/

To be a guest on our show email me at [email protected]
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Music by Lukrembo: https://soundcloud.com/lukrembo
Provided by Knowledge Base: https://bit.ly/2BdvqzN

Chapters

1. Welcome and Authentic Self-Perception (00:00:00)

2. Social Media vs. True Identity (00:03:34)

3. Community Service with Dignity (00:09:01)

4. Purpose Over Popularity (00:17:32)

5. Building Real Community Connections (00:27:24)

6. Family Beyond Blood Relations (00:35:03)

7. Staying True to Your Mission (00:43:28)

8. Parental Influence and Spiritual Growth (00:50:01)