“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”
A wise person recently advised me, “We can’t be in gratitude when we are in judgment.”
That really resonates with me. How are we to embrace love and compassion when we can’t stop wishing that we were further ahead in our work, that our friend or partner was a better listener, or that a colleague would step up their game?
Slowing down to notice how quick we are to judge ourselves and others can help, but it takes conscious, consistent effort. Practice makes practice. The next time you are feeling frustrated, just breathe, and give yourself permission, time and space to reconnect with yourself.
I wish I could find the author of a random blog post I read, who offered this helpful advice – ‘See. Accept. Appreciate. Delight’. Instead of wishing someone would change to suit your needs, take the time to truly see that person and accept them for who they are. Appreciate different ways of thinking and being in the world. Delight in the positive things you bring to one another’s lives.
It isn’t easy, but instead of dwelling on what’s wrong or wondering what next?, allow yourself to be in gratitude; celebrate who you are, where you are, and how far you’ve come – as a person, as a team, as a business owner, as a family.
As Joseph Campbell said, “Life is pain, but compassion is what gives it the possibility of continuing… We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.”