…TRY SOFTER
I’ve been contemplating this bit of advice, seemingly more a
play on an idiom than wise, when out of the cloudy sky it came to me.
Trying softer. Yes, that.
After a mistake or mishap, maybe instead of doubling down, consider gentleness on the next move. Consider a redo more carefully planned.
After getting a NO, consider letting it sink, but slowly,
instead of throwing an inner tantrum. Then, proceed with caution and
consideration of what just happened.
After getting stonewalled, instead of bashing my head against
the wall— consider resting next to the wall and catching my breath.
Gentleness with self diffuses into gentleness with others
and a wind that transforms into a soft breeze.
{A soft hug}
©Art by Maya Golek Apter.
Dreaming dog is Brandi Apter
6 comments:
Gentleness and softness sound good to me, whether for ourselves or others. Thank you for the reminder.
That's such good advice, Mirka. Thank you. I need to practice being gentle with myself.
Posting from MirkaK (she's not me) who seems periodically to be stonewalled by Blogger: "Good advice, probably for most situations!"
I'm also in MirkaK's debt for offering punctuation advice. She's a good editor, and I need one 💐
It's easy to react strongly to a rejection, but it's much better to slow down and let things sit before you respond. When I've had a difficult critique of my work, it often takes me a little while to see the good in it. And then I'm so thankful that someone was willing to tell me the truth.
I agree with Jenni. Taking a break before going back to the critique can help you decide whether any of it is useful. But sometimes you just have to go with your instinct about your own story.
Being gentle is a good way to be. Excellent advice!
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