11-Mar-2010

Let's Make a Deal

A Contract With Your Heart

“To err is human/ to forgive divine.” You know it is best to overlook the shortcomings of others. But what about your own quarrelsome inner voice? You want the best for yourself, of course, but in working toward those ends, you inevitably come face to face with the fact that, yes, you are human. That is, until you become divine through forgiveness.

The head and heart are often in conflict, given the nature of the mind, so simply strike a deal between them. Ask the heart to offer unconditional and automatic forgiveness. In return, ask the mind to forego its habit of intensive self-criticism. Let it be known to your mind that it does not have permission to abuse the heart. With these distinct boundaries, the result will be clarity of thought and subtlety of feeling. You will find yourself more relaxed, more neutral and more likely to achieve the positive aspirations you’ve set for yourself.

Recommended: Embracing Your Inner Critic: Turning Self-Criticism into a Creative Asset