KEEPING PROJECTIONS AT BAY

We create an image in our mind of how everyone, including ourselves, should behave. For example, if we catch a friend taking something personally, we might judge her for failing to live up to an ideal image of someone who “never takes things personally.” Now we have two problems instead of one. Not only is our friend upset, but we’re thinking they might be a little self-absorbed, too.

Instead, accept your friend’s feelings and support her. It can be difficult not to project how you’d like to have things go over, but that’s what unconditional love is all about.

Practice

Today, let go of the projected image you may have of someone close to you, and set yourself free of your own self-projected image in the process.

Allow yourself the opportunity to see others as they truly are, and let them love you for the person you are, the person you now love unconditionally.

Try repeating this affirmation today: “From this moment forth, I can give what I really have, and what I have is unconditional love that flows freely with every beat of my heart. I love you, and I say that with the complete freedom of life.”

Living a Life of Awareness

~ Don Miguel Ruiz Jr.