Rising Above Hypocrisy

Why do we do this -- tell people one thing then end up doing the other?

We are constantly giving loved ones or even complete strangers advice yet when under the same circumstances, how often do we give ourselves the same advice? When a friend comes to us with a concern, we're only too happy to lend a listening ear then formulate the perfect solution without batting an eyelid. Why? Because we love our friend and want only what's best for them. However, when it comes to ourselves, we have trouble knowing what's the best for us and our wellbeing. Funny thing is, we'd know exactly what to say if a friend came to us with the same situation.

Let's think about that. Why do we have such difficulty following our own advice?

Is it because we put others' needs before our own? We exert all our energy into helping others and by the time we get to ourselves, our energy meter has run out and it's difficult to refill it without a gas station nearby. Perhaps, it is human nature to be hypocrites. Hypocrisy is in our blood. We seem to be under this bizarre notion that our advice suddenly no longer applies simply because it's us; that we're the one exception to that rule.

But it doesn't work that way. Advice is one-size-fits-all (with some exceptions, of course). We can, and should, follow our own advice. If we give our friend one piece of advice, the same applies to us as well.

We're our own friends too -- and the most important, too.

So the next time that you're faced with a dilemma, take a moment and consider what you'd say to a close friend going through the same thing. Follow that advice. That tiny voice inside your head is yours, after all.

We need to begin treating ourselves the same way we'd treat our very best friend.

Be kind to yourself. Make you a priority.