What does the mirror show you??

The discrepancies between the way we view ourselves and the way others view us in an interesting theme that has been a recurring one in my life ane more so in the present time.

Recently, my younger sister asked me, " How do you see yourself in the future?" to which I responded with a puzzled look, " I am not sure, why?" and her response, which echoed the comments of others before is what is of interest to me.

My sister and other family, friends and acquaintances, for some reason or due to some reflection of my attitude behaviour etc., seem to think that I am destined to be a leader, a change creator, someone to have a significant, positive effect on the state of the world around me. My sister went as far to say that she sees me as a compassionate leader who will bring people back to themselves and make things better for all concerned.

I have thought of myself as a leader naturally once or twice maybe but I always felt as if fate has conspired to make me into one forcible as people and circumstances have thrust me into leadership roles and pushed me to take lead others and processes forward. But outside of that acknowledgement that I fell into these positions for several possible reasons (my stature, disposition, etc.) I never really saw my self as a leader, maybe as an agitating link in the chain but never as an engine for that change.

When we look into the mirror of our souls and minds, what contributes to the self images that we cultivate and conversely what do we continually do or exhibit that may give those outside of us a differing impression leading to the difference. More importantly, how can we reconcile the two...will I indeed become a "great leader"? Time will tell :-)