Mirror the best.

I heard that there’s a real power in consistently telling our kids that we are proud of them, particularly in moments when they’ve done nothing to earn our praise. 

Before sending Jack off to day camp recently, I got down to his level, smushed his little face between my hands, looked him in the eyes, and said: “I love you. I’m proud of you.”

His face softened into a little smile, his body got more relaxed, and I saw a little twinkle in his eye. I felt all the warm and fuzzies too. 

They say our eyes our windows to the soul, but I think - maybe they’re really mirrors. When we reflect back the best of what we see, it connects all of us to the better version of ourselves, and to each other. 

Maybe we could all use a little more unearned praise. Maybe life is all around better when we consistently look each other in the eyes, and mirror the best of what we see.