Just the other day I was counseling a friend of mine. As I sat there listening to her complain about what was wrong with her life, which mainly concerned her partner, I became aware that everything she was expressing was coming from criticism.
If you can release judgment for one day, one hour, even one minute, you will be well on your way to a happier, healthier and more productive life. You will discover that criticism – especially self-criticism – keeps you bound in fear, misery and pain.
By converting the focus of your energy, which includes your thoughts, words and actions, from criticism to gratitude – you will change your life forever! The more time we spend cutting ourselves and others down, the less energy we have to heal ourselves, be creative, and enjoy life.
Ask yourself this question. What do I get out of being critical both to myself and others? Does it bring you inner peace and happiness?
On one occasion my friend Mark tried to pull a trick on me by telling me that the clothes I had on were in bad taste. Instead of getting defensive or upset about the comment, I replied with, “Thank you – I take that as a compliment because I am a master of bad taste!” Mark looked at me in disbelief and then we both roared in laughter. Later on Mark shared with me that he had expected me to “bite-back” and was at a loss for words when that didn’t happen.
How To Develop An Attitude Of Gratitude
If you want to experience the uplifting Power of Gratitude instead of the destructive power of criticism then for one whole day, from the moment you awaken to the moment you fall asleep, resolve to develop a winning attitude.
Read this to yourself each morning for the next 30 days and watch how your life starts to transform for the better in an abundance of ways:
I will criticize nothing that happens today.
I will release myself from any judgments I have of myself.
I will hold a vision of myself, my motivations and my actions as pure.
I will not agree with the critical or judgmental words or attitudes of others.
I will not deny the goodness within and around me.
I will celebrate the entire day with an attitude of gratefulness towards everything that I give and receive.
I will imagine that everything that happens is for my highest good and the good of others.
The easiest way to be grateful is to say “thank you” for all that you receive. If someone is criticizing you, you have a choice as to whether you “feed the fire” or allow it to cool by not buying into their negativity and judgments. The human spirit is a lot stronger than you think and by cultivating winning attitudes your life will become simple, peaceful, powerful and fulfilling.
