Self-recrimination
"One of the reasons that people do not change things that they know they must change is the self-recrimination that comes with realizing that you should have made this change years ago, and what on earth have you been doing all these years, compromising yourself in a situation that you should have resolved years ago? This self-recrimination can be very strong, and it is one of the factors that keeps people from taking action regarding change that they know they must make in their relationships and circumstances."[1]
Becoming wise
"People learn this very fearfully and falteringly at first. They are not sure they even want to learn it. It seems so strange, yet so wonderful. They are perhaps afraid that they will lose interest in the things they have given themselves to, and they are afraid of the sense of guilt and waste that must surely arise as they realize that they had formerly invested themselves poorly and ignorantly, having given their life, time, energy and resources to pursuits that had little or no value or promise. This is a very difficult thing to face, yet you will face it because you must seek that which is truly meaningful."[2]
Directives
"Allow the mistakes of your past to motivate you. They need not be and should not be a source of self-recrimination."[3]
"Previously, you were not careful. You were reckless. You were foolish, impulsive. Now you must become watchful, discerning, patient, careful. In doing this, you will see how you have been wasting your life, your time, your energy, over meaningless pursuits and over thinking that would never lead to resolution—self-doubt, self-recrimination, judgment of others—and the immensely superficial conversation that most people continue to maintain around you."
References
- ↑ Ending Violence Within (September 4)
- ↑ Wisdom from the Greater Community, Book 2, Chapter 23: Becoming Wise
- ↑ Steps to Knowledge, Step 280 (Review)