Pride in yourself is what’s important

  • Published
  • By By Col. Thomas Sharpy
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing vice commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  I have a mirror hanging in my office with a poem etched into the glass called: The Face in the Glass, it is based on the work written by Dale Wimbrow. It goes like this: 

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you King for a day
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that face has to say.
For it isn't your father or mother or spouse
Who judgment upon you must pass.
The person whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people might think you're a straight-shooting chum
And call you a great gal or guy.
But the face in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look it straight in the eye.
That's the one you must please-never mind all the rest,
That's the one with you clear to the end.
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the face in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the face in the glass. 

What does this mean to you? I have had the opportunity to think about that phrase often. When I had the privilege to be a squadron commander I would read it with every newcomer in our squadron. One day one of the young Airmen said to me, "Sir, I have never heard our core values written that way." I had never thought of Integrity First, Service before Self and Excellence in all We Do when reading these great words, but that young Airmen taught me that our core values are measured not by your boss or your co-workers, or what your evaluations say they are measured by how you live your life when no one else is watching. 

Can you look yourself in the mirror and say you've done the best you can today? Do you stop working hard and volunteering for community projects after your performance report or awards packages are submitted? Are you motivated by impressing your boss or by aiming to improve yourself? These are questions I ask myself every day and I hope you ask yourself. 

I know some days are more difficult than others, especially when faced with the constant challenges of the Global War on Terrorism. We all have bumps in the road, such as falling ill, family separations and long hours, but as long as you can look yourself in the mirror and honestly say "I have done the best I could today and I am proud of how I conducted myself" you will be successful. It doesn't matter what others think of you, it is your personal opinion that counts the most. 

This poem was written in 1934 and it stills holds the same impact it did that day. Being honest with yourself is sometimes much harder than taking criticism from others. Remember though, those people will more than likely not be around in five years to see the fruits of your labor. They do not know the background that is causing you to succeed or fail. So instead of basing your life around others, look yourself in the mirror; are you proud of the person staring back at you? I know that I am.