Your own best friend

I heard this many years ago.  I don't remember where I heard it, but it stuck with me.

If your friend was talking to you the way that you talk to yourself, what would your response be? 

Daily we "talk" to ourselves.  Do we encourage ourselves to be the best we can be?  Or do we discourage ourselves?  Do we downplay our strengths?  How critical are you of yourself?

Suppose you create a weekly report for your boss.  Your boss sends it back to you, telling you to rework the numbers, research your sources, and to bring it back to him tomorrow.

What is your reaction?  What do you say to yourself?  "Oh, how stupid, you should have done it better in the first place!" or do you think "That's ok.  You did a good job.  Now, let's make it better."

Consider if this was a friend of yours, what would you say to your friend?  Shouldn't you treat yourself with the same care that you would if you were speaking with your friend?

You trip as you are walking down the street.  Does that small voice in your head say, "Hey, you, clumsy -pick up your feet!", or do you hear yourself say, "oh, are you ok?"

Consider how you care for yourself.

Today, be aware of your self talk.  Be aware to be kind to yourself.  Encourage yourself.  Be your own best friend.