We can be so generous in the chances we give to others. We are quick to help a friend feel better who at times can’t be as supportive as we’d like, to extend a good wish to someone who took a bad day out on us, to accept a hug from someone who may have hurt us.

The ability to accept another’s imperfections speaks so well of us. We can give another another chance.

Why, then, do we hesitate to be as accepting of our own imperfections? Why do we withhold another chance from ourselves?

It seems we can be so stingy in the chances we give to ourselves. And, in our cheapness with ourselves, we choose to reprimand and rehash (I should have done better, I should have known better) rather than making peace.

When you find yourself speaking harshly with yourself after a mistake or mishap, take a moment to stop. Then, choose to be generous with yourself: Give yourself a next time.

Next time, you can be different. You can manage differently, speak kindly, act graciously.

Be generous. Give yourself a next time.

Resources

• Do you love our comforts? Then, you’ll love Take Comfort, Too, More Reflections of Hope for Caregivers. In Take Comfort, Too, Denise M. Brown takes 108 words—including Parade, Green, Red and Glory—and then turns each into a reflection. The reflections focus on a family caregiver’s reality, sprinkled with hope. Denise’s insights about the caregiving experience feel like a warm hug, a helpful smile and an encouraging nudge. Order here.
• How’s your day going? Share your struggles and success in our Forum. Not a member of Caregiving.com? Sign up (it’s free!) here to share.
• Our May Board Report takes place today at 11 a.m. CT (Noon ET, 9 a.m. PT). During the 15-minute webinar, I’ll tell you what’s coming up on Caregiving.com this month. Can’t attend the live webinar? No worries! We record the webinars so you can listen at your convenience. Listen here.

Related Articles

• Center (caregiving.com)
• Tangled (caregiving.com)
• Nerve (caregiving.com)