Inside Job. . .
We talk a great deal about being compassionate toward others, but there is another person who deserves our compassion every single day.
Ourselves.
Many of us have an inner voice that is far harsher than anything we would ever say to another human being.
We criticize our appearance.
We replay our mistakes.
We remind ourselves of opportunities we missed years ago.
We tell ourselves we’re not doing enough, earning enough, achieving enough, or becoming enough.
Buddhism offers another way.
The practice of compassion begins with recognizing that we, too, are human beings who experience fear, confusion, disappointment, and suffering.
When you make a mistake, try responding to yourself as you would to a close friend.
Instead of saying, “How could you be so stupid?” try saying, “I made a mistake. What can I learn from it?”
The difference may seem small, but it changes the relationship you have with yourself.
Self-compassion isn’t an excuse to avoid responsibility. Quite the opposite. When we stop attacking ourselves, we become more capable of honestly seeing what needs to change.
We can acknowledge our mistakes without becoming our mistakes.
We can accept our imperfections without giving up on growth.
Perhaps today you can practice one simple act of kindness toward yourself.
Take a walk.
Rest without feeling guilty.
Forgive yourself for something you’ve been carrying.
Speak gently to yourself when you notice the inner critic becoming loud.
You don’t have to earn compassion.
You don’t have to become perfect before you’re worthy of kindness.
You are already a human being doing your best to navigate a complicated world.
That’s enough reason to begin.
The next time you look in the mirror, try seeing more than your reflection.
See someone who has survived every difficult day that has brought them to this moment.
And offer that person a little compassion.
Peace and Love, Jim
#innercompassion #thedailybuddha #tdb
