Mirror Image

i think the people in our circle
each contain a portion of
our own personality
the good bad and ugly
appreciate the good
like we would like to be appreciated
and learn from and have compassion
for the bad and ugly
like we feel we deserve

several years ago i worked with
someone that was constantly
irritating me with what he did and said
one day i had a moment of clarity
and saw that i did very similar things
and said similar things
it may have had a twist
but the same type of issues
i made it a purpose to look for myself in other people
especially with those that frustrated
lo and behold i could always
find an aspect of myself in others
when i come across it now
i take it as a reminder
and it humbles me
when i think of how i feel
when i act like those other people
i instantly empathize with them
allowing me to be more patient
which brings compassion
toward the other person
who is actually me

I