Have you ever negatively judged yourself because your day didn’t go quite the way you wanted it to?  You think of the stupid things you said, and the ways you wish you could go back and redo things.  “I should have done this or that.”  “I shouldn’t have done this or that.”  “Why did I do that?”  “I feel like a complete idiot and failure.”  “Other people probably think I’m so stupid.” “I just can’t seem to get it right.”  “Other people just seem to do things so much better than I do.”

As your thoughts get out of control, like a runaway train, the worse you feel.

 Let’s say you’re at a party with your new camera.  First, you take a picture of a group of people on the couch in the far corner of the room; they look sad, angry and bored.  Next, you snap a picture of a group that’s standing around the food; eating, laughing and drinking.  They’re smiling, telling jokes and having a great time.  Then, you move into the kitchen and take snap shots of just a couple people having a pretty serious conversation.

The next day, you show me your pictures.  When I see the first picture, I think, wow, that party doesn’t look fun-they look so serious and it doesn’t seem like there are very many people there.  Then I see the second picture, and I change my mind—they look like they are having a great time; eating, laughing, and drinking.  Then I see the picture of the people on the couch and they don’t seem to be having a good time at all-they look sad and angry!

There isn’t just one reality; it depends on the angle you’re looking at it from.  It depends on your perception. 

Going back to the day where you judged yourself so harshly– If you were to take pictures of your whole entire day, there would be many different snapshots, some good, some not so good.  Usually, there are some good images.  (Things you did well throughout the day) 

We all have images that we’re not so proud of, but learn what you can from them and then put those images back in the envelope and put them in the drawer.  Don’t keep looking at them.

Choose to focus on the images of your day that make you feel good!  Keep looking at those!