About a year ago, I went to the Alamo, an historic site in San Antonio where an important battle was fought during the war for Texan Independence. I know this because I'm a history teacher, and I actually teach my students about this tragic battle. That's why I actually enjoyed visiting this historic landmark. My wife, however, didn't really care for it too much, so after about an hour, we left to get something to eat.

As we crossed the street, I saw something that caught my eye. Outside one of the many gift shops, I noticed a large mirror. I decided to investigate. As I walked closer, I saw that it was one of those fun house mirrors that distorts the reflection of the person looking into it.

I went and stood in front of that mirror, and instead of seeing the tall thin man I normally see in mirrors, I saw a short, very wide man looking back at me. For an instant, I must admit, I was a little scared – until I realized that the person in the mirror was not the REAL me. It was an image that had been distorted by the twisted mirror.

I left thinking of how glad I was that I wasn't that man in THAT mirror. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who are looking at themselves in a mirror that has been distorted by negative thoughts or words or past experiences.  They see themselves as failures or victims based on what has happened in their past or what people have said about them. Their mirror has been distorted, and they are going through life depressed and never reaching their full potential, because they are believing the image in that twisted mirror.

If this describes you, I want to encourage you to see yourself for who you really are. See yourself as a person who has unique talents and abilities. Consider all your accomplishments, all your successes, all your positive contributions, and let that be your mirror. You are not that person in the fun house mirror. See yourself as you truly are – amazing.

Samuel Rangel

YouAreNotALoser.com