To Be Self-Compassionate Or To Be Self-Critical? That Is The Question.

Written By

Time To Decide

There comes a time in everyone’s life, where they must decide whether they are going to live a life of self-compassion or self-criticism.  I have worked with several people that asked if I could just prescribe self-compassion; tie their hands in effect.  I suppose that I could, but in the long run it would really do them a disservice.  You see the success of your self-compassion practice depends on your desire to live a meaningful, fulfilling, and compassionate life. 

Hard To Say No To Self-Criticism

Without this deep, burning desire, self-criticism will remind you of your time together, and it will probably be too hard to say no.  Self-criticism is a lot like that ex that is really no good for you, but you know well.  When you are unwilling to risk your heart for a good life, you become complacent, lonely, and desperate, and that ex slides right in there.

Near Death Insights

If you are a deeply motivated person, it might be easy for you to pick self-compassion, especially if you have already hit rock bottom, and feel that you have little else to lose.  However, if you are on the fence, it might be hard to choose self-compassion, so I have devised a short-term tool that you can use.  Remember, this is just a tool.  You have to make room to have a good life, and that includes stepping away from people, events, and habits that bring you down.  That might sound like a lot, but if you were on your death bed, it would seem like very little given what it will afford you.

An Easy Tool To Sway Your Choices Towards Self-Compassion

Ok, back to the tool I promised.  Imagine yourself as a 5 year old child, deeply, loving, but powerless in many ways.  Then, imagine yourself set up with a family on a foreign island.  If you could ask this family to do three things for you, what would they be? Promise these things to the 5 year old you.  Now, and this is the important part, you are all grown up, but the promise you have made to the 5 year old you is still valid.  I imagine these choices were made with compassion in mind.  Fulfill these promises today, and you will be well on your way to a self-compassionate life.  Kazaam!  Did we just get you a self-compassionate life in 5 minutes?  We must make a great team!

365 Days Of Self-Compassion.  Day 201.  In The Books.