Nurturing my self compassion

My friend…care for your psyche…know thyself, for once we know ourselves

we may learn how to care for ourselves (Socrates)

What does self-compassion really mean?

Some degree of pain and suffering accompany us through our lives; suffering, failure, and imperfection are all part of the ‘normal’ experience of life, living, and being consciously human. We often react to these aspects of ourselves by being self-critical and negative and by doing so we can suffer the consequences of anxiety, anger, negative thinking, or depression.

Self-compassion is the very opposite of self-criticism. It is an inner strength that enables us to acknowledge our shortcomings, learn from them, and make the necessary changes with an attitude of kindness and respect.

How does understanding who we are allow us to care for ourselves more deeply?