Today is September 11th. 9/11. 911. Fifteen years ago today, the morning news greeted people in the United States with stories of a horrific act of terror unlike any other in this country. Today, we remember, we grieve; we all have our own stories of where we were, and how we heard the news. For many today may be a day of sadness.
However, we are resilient. We have a choice to rise above grief and despair. We have a choice to remember the value in all humanity, regardless of faith, or ethnicity.
September 11th is the formal launch date for my new book, Cultivating Compassion: Simple Everyday Practices to Discover Peace of Mind and Resilience, and I chose this date with intention. I wanted to create an opportunity for people to look at this date with a different perspective through offering tools and techniques to help all of us become more accepting and compassionate for self. From this foundation of self-acceptance and self-compassion, we start to extend those qualities outward.
Cultivating Compassion has 66 very short chapters. Every chapter has an inspirational theme, followed by self-reflection questions and suggestions for informal practice. Through this format, readers become actively engaged and creating new perspectives through self-exploration and action.
Here is an excerpt from the book:
Day 56: Curtailing Criticism
Don’t make fun of anyone. Curtail your criticism and judgment of others.
Do you know people who constantly complain and rarely say anything good about others? Do you act like that yourself sometimes? We all do. Unfortunately, it is a pretty common response to the world. But, we can choose not to behave that way.
As you cultivate appreciation and acceptance of yourself, your capacity to appreciate others for who they are expands.
Consider that unskillful behavior may arise from unmet needs. Before you criticize someone else, take a moment to think of what really might be driving the behavior that you find challenging.
Is that person lonely, bored, angry, hungry, or anxious? If you consider the humanity in the other person, perhaps you’ll find that extending some warmth, rather than criticism, helps you become more peaceful. This may not work in all circumstances, but it is worth trying. If you still choose to judge and criticize, take a closer look at what unmet need is behind your choices.
Undoubtedly some people’s actions may seem unforgivable, but, in day-to-day circumstances, see if you can take a moment to recognize that we’re all human, and as such, we have similar basic needs. This may help you curtail your criticism and judgment of others. As you do, see if you find a greater sense of peace within yourself.
Self-Reflection:
Am I often critical of myself or others? How does this feel in my body? How do I break this cycle?
Informal Practice:
Today I will practice non-judgment. I will notice when I am being critical of myself or others, and I will stop that cycle by taking a few deep breaths, bringing awareness to my body, and then shift into a mindset of acceptance.
TODAY is the day to download this book for FREE. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
