Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough
to nourish a man's growth without
destroying his roots.
Frank Howard Clark
Earlier on, I did a post on oxymorons, one of my favorite tools while processing. (See post on this blog entitled, EXTROVERTED HERMIT and ORGANIZED PROCRASTINATOR, April 8, 2011) An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which contradictory terms are combined. By using oxymorons, there is no judgment, but rather observation and comparison.
So instead of criticizing my self in absolutes, such as either black or white, I can own both qualities. I am black and I am white. I can embrace my essence in entirety, rather than focusing with criticism on just one part.
By viewing two opposites, there is a larger picture to explore. Many pieces can come together, creating a landscape rather than a snapshot. This can be likened to making an observation with eyes squinted, softening ridges into blended hues, instead of using a piercing gaze scrutinizing a small detail.
Be gentle with your 'self' using words of kindness, applying a positive spin. This will bring balance and encouragement. Softly remove the derogatory comments so that all of your energy can be used to establish new growth without destroying any roots.
So instead of criticizing my self in absolutes, such as either black or white, I can own both qualities. I am black and I am white. I can embrace my essence in entirety, rather than focusing with criticism on just one part.
By viewing two opposites, there is a larger picture to explore. Many pieces can come together, creating a landscape rather than a snapshot. This can be likened to making an observation with eyes squinted, softening ridges into blended hues, instead of using a piercing gaze scrutinizing a small detail.
Be gentle with your 'self' using words of kindness, applying a positive spin. This will bring balance and encouragement. Softly remove the derogatory comments so that all of your energy can be used to establish new growth without destroying any roots.
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