“To survive in this high-pressured, crazy world, most of us have to become highly adept at self-criticism. We learn how to tell ourselves off for our failures, and for not working hard or smart enough. But so good are we at this that we’re sometimes in danger of falling prey to an excessive version of self-criticism — what we might call self-flagellation: a rather dangerous state, which just ushers in depression and underperformance. We might simply lose the will to get out of bed.
For those moments, we need a corrective — we need to carve out time for an emotional state of which many of us are profoundly suspicious: self-compassion. We’re suspicious because this sounds horribly close to self-pity. But because depression and self-hatred are serious enemies of a good life, we need to appreciate the role of self-care in a good, ambitious, and fruitful life.” ~The School of Life
(Can I just say that anything said in a British accent sounds totally plausible and intellectually revolutionary. I just need a hot bath, accompanied by a cup of tea, with Alain de Botton perched on the porcelain crown next to me lecturing on why I need to relinquish all the expectations and to fully embrace the art of failing forward…I think all this would set in then…or maybe not 🙂 Thank you for sharing Maria Popova. Girl, you change my life everyday 🙂 )
When everything seems to be going against you,
Marry a mountain girl
JACQUELINE P. ASHBY 