Do you point out other people’s faults? Not necessarily directly to that person, but maybe just to the people around you. “Look at that guy…” “She looks so …” “Why does she do that?”

So often that comes from our own smallness, and we are seeking to feel superior. It is an attempt to raise ourselves above that other person, to feel better than them. If we were in a place of self-love and confidence, we would allow them to just be or we would see the situation with compassion rather than judgment.

If we are judging others harshly, it usually means we are judging ourselves severely. When we minimize judgment of others, we become less critical towards ourselves. When we stop judging others and see them with more compassion, that attitude spreads to all areas of our lives. Including to ourselves.

Ask yourself: What might this person be going through that I don’t know about?

• Notice when you are critical. Challenge yourself to look at the situation from a different angle. And just let it be.
• Be compassionate. Everyone has stuff. Understanding the potential source can bring out your compassion.
• Remember that you are only seeing part of the story.

Be compassionate to others and you’ll be compassionate to yourself.