I was reflecting on the Gospel
earlier this week, from daily Mass (Matthew 7:1-5), and I would like to expand
on it a little. Jesus speaks about not
judging others and to humble ourselves; because we probably have similar
faults! (Yep, we are all sinners, and we
all have that “splinter” in our eye.) I
think about the times I have made a quick, mental assumption about a friend or
family member. I catch myself being
agitated with the situation and want to blame it on their response, rather than
taking responsibility for my own behavior.
When it comes to having an open
conversation about what’s really going on and communicating what each other is
thinking, I remind myself that it is easier to give them the benefit of the
doubt, the next time around. They really
didn’t mean to make me upset or to feel hurt.
But the hardest part I find in making up for my own mistakes is that I
often beat myself up, when it is I who is really at fault rather than
them.
I invite you to take a moment to
reflect on this particular “attitude.”
(I don’t always appreciate this term myself. So if it bothers you, replace it with another
word that changes your perspective towards yourself and others.)
Am I willing to forgive and provide myself
with the same, compassionate way I forgive others?
I find it does no good beating
myself up over it. I know I am still
working at this. The areas where I often
fall short causes me to have a lot of anxiety over being “less perfect.” (Again I say, no one is perfect; so remember
to be patient with yourself!) How
harshly do we reprimand ourselves? Since
it gets us nowhere, I find it is better to learn from the mistake, correct it,
and not take it so seriously. Sure,
there can be serious mistakes; but what about that time I made a wrong turn
while driving? Or stumbled over one of
my talks? Does that make me a “bad
person?” No!
It isn’t always easy to stop
judging, especially myself. But I hope
these examples find you more self-compassionate and ready to move forward from
what was tripping you up. I pray for
your perseverance. I hope this insight
gives you time to examine and reflect on life’s daily grinds, and to remember
that we are all in this together!
“Have patience with all things, but
chiefly have patience with yourself. Do
not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about
remedying them- every day begin the task anew.” – St. Francis de Sales
