With few exceptions, the usual focus of our attention and interactions with others is centered on our self and the fulfillment of its desires. “How do I feel about you?” “What do I want from him?” or “When will she realize that I know best?” In other words, the mindset of the false self, under most circumstances, is: “Me first.” By forever placing its own considerations before considering any other, it remains the master of its own universe, even if all that revolves through it is its own imagined importance.
The great inner life lesson to be learned in working with the following twelve suggested practices is that what we put first in our lives is our first relationship with life. And it is this relationship that secretly determines the nature of all others in our lives. Through our willingness to work at placing our usual self in “second place,” we agree not only to change the way we see our relationships, but we have also agreed to be changed by the truths our new relationships will inevitably show us about us.
- Be as alert to what you can do to help someone else in any given moment as you are critically aware of others for failing to notice your immediate needs.
- Let anyone who wants to psychologically defeat you have his victory, and do it without revealing that you chose to give him the last word.
- In any moment of consequence, be as willing to see that you may be wrong as you are convinced that you are always right.
- Do whatever act of kindness you may be moved to do for another person without drawing attention to your deed, or to yourself for having done it.
- Look for ways to make moments work to the advantage of someone else besides yourself.
- When gathered with friends or family, instead of competing for the spotlight, voluntarily help to shine it on someone whom you know its light will emotionally lift or otherwise encourage.
- Even when you know that you are solidly in the right, rather than rub it in, sacrifice your righteousness.
- Should a sarcastic or unkind remark pop into your mind to tease, torment, or in any way “trash” another person, try swallowing it first to see how it tastes before you dish it out.
- Whatever it might be when your “moment in the sun” arises — such as being acknowledged or applauded for a deed well done — if you have the choice, give the best or better portion away.
- Let there be times when you don’t tell someone everything you know about her problem, even if your understanding of it is better than hers.
- When feeling displeased with someone, don’t show your displeasure, and save any necessary correction for a later time.
- There are times when the greatest strength (and kindness) one can possess is to allow another his weakness without pointing it out or otherwise punishing him for it.
Read Previous Post