Books have the power and ability to put up a mirror in front of you. To show you a side of yourself that you hope to suppress. You don’t want to continue reading the author’s words because of how embarrassed you feel, or how close they’re hitting to you. When that happens - take it slow.

You have done things in life that you are not proud of. When we see those moments reflected back to us, it’s time to stop and reflect. It’s time to say, “yes, that happened, and it’s okay because I’m in this moment now and I have learned, and I’m not that person anymore, and I don’t have to be that person again. I get to choose.”

Many of my favorite stories involve mirrors. Perhaps I have an underlying desire to face myself head on - to confront that past version of myself. Or, more likely, perhaps I have a desire to forgive myself and move forward.

Depending on the day, it can go both ways.