Cultivating Mercy

“Cultivate mercy toward yourself: compassion toward others will follow.”

~ Ezra Bayda – The Essential Reminders

Consider making self-compassion one of your New Year’s resolutions. Here's a wonderful article from the Greater Good about just that AND some simple exercises that can help.

So, sit quietly for a few moments, notice your breath, and settle a little.

Reflect for a while on these questions:

• In what areas am I most critical of myself?

• What sensations, thoughts, and emotions arise when I make mistakes, I don’t meet my expectations of myself, or I’m critical of myself?

• How do I treat myself when I make a mistake?

Now experiment with bringing compassion to yourself in some way. You can practice loving-kindness meditation toward yourself. Here's a link to my resource library that includes a guided Loving-kindness Meditation.

Another kind act toward yourself is to recall someone who loves/cares for you (Divine, human, canine, feline) as you are. Imagine seeing yourself through their eyes for a while.

Over time, planting these seeds of mercy can help you feel kinder and more stable while moving toward your goals.