A few years ago my best friend sent me a YouTube link—one of many she sent over the years. “I think you may like it”, read her message. I did. The next few weeks I was immersed in listening to Ajahn Brahm, a Buddhist teacher. I believe all religions are somehow connected, and despite being raised catholic, I connected with his words and teaching.

Ajahn Brahn brought to my attention how we label people. If someone commits a crime—even a small one—he may be labeled as a criminal. If someone kills another person—it does not have to be intentional—he may be called a murderer for the rest of his life.

❓Why do we label a person just by one action?
❓Why should one be punished for a mistake for the rest of his life?
❓Isn’t there good in all of us?

I believe there is.

We all make mistakes. Small and big ones. I have made plenty throughout my life and am sure I will make many more. And it is ok. I know that this is how I grow—by making decisions and mistakes along the way.

I used to criticize a lot. I used to be very inpatient as well. With that…I was not always nice to others and about others (you know…gossip). Since I started to look at myself in a different way—seeing myself as a good person, equal to everyone around me, an imperfectly perfect human being—the way I see the world has changed.

I greet others—strangers on the street, in a grocery store checkout line—with a smile, trusting that they are good and hoping for a smile. I try to be patient with them, just as I am with myself.

Of course I have my moments, when it is a little bit harder to be this way. I acknowledge that and let myself be this way.

“Think well of all, be patient with all, and try to find good in all” is a beautiful quote by Muhammas Ali. I encourage you to live by that.

But first ask yourself those questions and answer them with all honesty.

💞 What do you think of yourself?
💞 Are you patient with yourself?

Remember. How you think of yourself, is how you think of others.