Changing Ourselves

1. 

   "Wanting to reform the world without discovering one's true self is like trying to cover the world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns.  It is much simpler to wear shoes." The Hindu Sage Ramana Maharshi
   
   

   An amusing way to reflect to us that change must start with ourselves.  It is a tenacious trap to get into thinking we can change another person.  It is impossible, unless he or she wants to change.  Our time is much better spent changing ourselves.  Self-help books abound nowadays, but one does not necessarily need several or even one of those.  All one needs is the desire to look at one's own behavior, instead of projecting it out onto others.  One great clue is when anything about someone else bugs us -- we can be certain there is something in that for us to take a look at about ourselves.  It may not be that the quality in the other person is one you express, but it may mean that the quality in the other person is one you need to accept you could do -- given the right circumstances.  Be gentle with ourselves, and, it is certain, we will also be gentle with others.