HIGH-FIVE!

I’m gonna let you in on a little secret of mine.  Every morning when I see myself in the bathroom mirror, I smile and say, “Good morning, World!  You’re lucky to have me one, more day.” I even encourage my clients to do it. When I started this habit several years ago, I was being facetious.  That morning as I looked at my bleary eyes and wrinkles, my main concern was figuring out how to dull or remove the mirror. 

Over time, I realized that each time I said it, I started the day with more exuberance.  Now I hear that author Mel Robbins has written a best-seller about giving yourself a high five every morning in the mirror!  Turns out I was on to something.  She researched the actual science behind it and discovered that giving yourself a high-five increases your dopamine.  Studies were also done on every team in the NBA.  The winningest ones actually High-Five the most times! 

As you can see, I tried Ms. Robbins’ high-five in the mirror myself today and it felt a little weird.  Given my eyesight, I was concerned that I might HIGH FIVE smack through the glass. Considering that 50% of men and 85% of women don’t like what they see when they look in the mirror, this self-adoration can feel intense.  I’ve had several people roll their eyes when I suggest it and I can see why.

However, as we become a more isolated and withdrawn society, we still have a deep need to connect.  25% of Americans report that they have no close friends or confidants.  30% of American households are now single occupancy.  This is the highest percentage in our history!  What makes us human is our craving for connection.  My advice?  If you don’t have anyone else to connect with, connect with yourself.  Whether it’s an “I’m lucky to be alive,” or a “high-five,” just do it.

The important thing is to acknowledge your worth no matter what you look like.  If you can’t do that, how do you expect anyone else to?  Getting older takes more fortitude than most people realize.  You must be able to swallow nails a little bit at a time and smile while you digest them.  For the record? Your stomach acid is indeed strong enough to dissolve those nails.  That’s backed by science.  So, face front and salute yourself!

P. S. Note to self: Windex bathroom mirror before taking photo.