Article March 8, 1982 Issue

Cherishing one's true nature

DOROTHY P. SEAGREN

"Boy, was that ever stupid!"

I was telling a friend about something I had said. After a quiet moment she responded, "Would you do me a favor and stop putting yourself down? You're always saying that, and you're not stupid!"

We began talking about how we really should care for ourselves, even when we've made a mistake; and about how, in the flurried aftermath of a mistake, we instead totally berate ourselves. On the other hand, if a guest inadvertently were to hurt us, or perhaps break a prized possession of ours, we'd go out of our way to be forgiving. We'd do our best to let that person know he or she is still loved and cared for. But ourselves! How do we treat ourselves? We often perpetuate a self-destructive attitude.

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