Daily Meditation: Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Helping others - by emphasizing their qualities more than their failings

08/05/2014

We are always more likely to improve a situation if we concentrate on the positive rather than the negative. Try to apply this rule in your relations with others. For example, rather than criticizing their failings, focus on what is positive in them, to see how they can be further improved. Even if there is only one good thing, focus on that. Leave their failings alone, and try as much as you can to help them improve their qualities. It will be of greater benefit to them and to you too, for the evolution of each person contributes to the evolution of all. The more we progress, the more we take others along with us. And if certain people’s shortcomings disturb you so much, that is one more reason to develop indulgence and patience by considering them kindly. We must always focus on a person’s qualities and tell ourselves, ‘God lives within their soul; I won’t concern myself with the animals prowling all around.’ Who doesn’t have a few wild animals in them? In some, these animals are shut up in cages or chloroformed, but they are certainly there.