It is very hard to be kind to oneself, is it not? That is because we are machines driven by unconscious forces. And they are negative in nature. Unless you are on the path of awakening, you will not have one chance in a million to practice self-kindness.

Okay, you may be asking, how on earth can I be kind to myself? That seems like duality.

Yeah, well, stop listening to the non-dualists. They are not especially kind.

I say something like this: “I choose to love myself.”

That opens the door to your own higher consciousness.

That is all you do until you feel yourself torn by an outer suggestion, perhaps from a well-meaning friend. They seem to expect more of you than you are able to give. That turns into resentment because you are sinning against yourself. Now everyone is poisoned by your resentment. You often go ahead and let the friend dictate your behavior so you won’t have to deal with guilt. Getting the picture?

This is why we are on the path of awakening. Charity begins within and you can quote me on that.

Vernon Howard put it this way: Practice self-kindness until it hurts.

We simply cannot be all things to all people.

He also said, “When you know better, you will do better.”

Maybe that is a prayer.

Vicki Woodyard