Good morning friends
Yesterday I was talking about the inner judge who resides in us. This inner judge has very high standards and is very critical. He is always ready to criticise us whenever our behaviour is not right. He helps us walk on the righteous path, pointing out our mistakes when we stray away from the path. While this judge plays an important role in keeping us on track, at times he can also cause harm if he is too critical. I know people close to me who are outwardly extremely successful in their lives…not just in their profession but also in their hobbies or social work, but not happy because of this strict judge that resides in them.
This judge is an expert at comparing us with others, especially with those who have achieved much more than us or those who are doing very good work. While it is important to work hard and do your best, it is not always right to compare ourselves with others. When that happens we expect too much from ourselves , things beyond our capabilities. We must remember that each one of us is unique, एकमेव अद्वितीय ! No two persons are alike, even twins have differences. Each one of us has different strengths and weaknesses, each one has faced different challenges and each one has responded differently to life according to his/ her personality.
So, like everything else, balance is important with respect to our judge…. If he is lax, we can stray from the righteous path and if he is too strict, he can harm us.
That’s why, it is important to keep the inner judge in check and appreciate our own achievements from time to time. There is one very simple and effective way of doing this. Before sleeping, look at yourself in the mirror, remember all the wonderful things that you did during the day and congratulate yourself. You can appreciate even minor accomplishments like exercising or reducing your screen time. This practice focuses on your strengths and can improve your self esteem and confidence. And more importantly, it increases your happiness index. I have experienced this since I started this practice a few years ago.
Do try this out and experience firsthand the benefits of appreciating yourself,
Love,
Anjali
