Even though our more habituated tendency might be to remember the things we've done wrong,
Or the mistakes we've made,
The things we regret,
We can consciously shift our attention to include the good within ourselves,
And so too when we look at others.
This isn't an exercise meant to deny that anything is wrong or regrettable.
But if we look at somebody and we only think of the mistakes that they've made,
Then a tremendous sense of self and other and us versus them can be reinforced.
But if we include even one good thing,
If we're able to think of even one good thing,
Then a bridge is built so when we honestly and directly look at what's difficult right now,
It's more from a stance of side by side rather than across this huge gulf of seeming separation.
Sitting in a posture that embodies dignity,
Whatever that means to you,
Taking a relaxed and easy posture however you feel comfortable.
See if you can think of one good thing you did yesterday.
It doesn't have to be very big or grandiose.
Maybe you smiled at somebody,
Maybe you listened to them,
Maybe you said thank you to your bus driver,
Maybe you let go of an annoyance that someone did to you,
Maybe you sat down to meditate,
Maybe you forgave yourself for not saying something totally correctly,
Maybe you were generous.
It is quite nourishing,
Replenishing to take joy,
To take delight in the good that moves through us that we are able to manifest.
Our urge for happiness is nothing to feel funny or strange about.
The problem is not this urge,
The problem is ignorance and not really sensing where genuine happiness might be found.
And this ignorance results in making the mistakes that might cause so much suffering,
To ourselves and to others.
And if at any time with ourselves or with someone else,
If we can't think of something good,
We can recall that everyone wants to feel their own nikudatova.
Everyone desires to be at peace with themselves.
Everyone desires to have this good point,
This nikudatova,
And live through it.
So just starting with this one good thing,
And if for whatever reason that's not happening for you,
Gently switch to this other reflection,
Recalling that all beings want to be happy.
That you want to be happy,
They want to be happy.
All beings want to live with their nikudatova illuminated.
And then see if you can give yourself this blessing.
Yevarechecha Adonai ve'yishmerecha.
May I be safe.
Y'a'er Adonai panav elecha v'khuneka.
May I see and experience and live from a place of my inner beauty.
Yissa Adonai panav elecha ve'yaseym lecha shalom.
May I be at peace,
Both internal and external peace.
Gently shifting your attention to a benefactor or a teacher,
Someone who has helped you.
And you may find here that their good qualities might come in a rush.
You can appreciate that about them,
Those aspects,
Those efforts,
Those acts of kindness.
And with this individual mind,
See if you can extend to them this blessing.
Yevarechecha Adonai ve'yishmerecha.
May they be safe.
Y'a'er Adonai panav elecha v'khuneka.
May they live with grace,
May they live with ease.
Yissa Adonai panav elecha ve'yaseym lecha shalom.
May they be at peace with themselves,
Both internal and externally.
Now think of a good friend.
Appreciate the good within them.
And extend to them this blessing as well.
Yevarechecha Adonai ve'yishmerecha.
May they be safe.
Y'a'er Adonai panav elecha v'khuneka.
May they live with ease.
Yissa Adonai panav elecha ve'yaseym lecha shalom.
May they be at peace,
Both internally and externally.
Now I want you to think of someone you know who might be having a difficult time right now.
They could be ill or hurting,
But just think of the good within them.
Think of the times that they've reached out to help others.
Think about their own sources of strength.
As best you can,
See that this person is not just their problem,
But something much bigger.
And extend to them this blessing as well.
Yevarechecha Adonai ve'yishmerecha.
May they be safe.
Y'a'er Adonai panav elecha v'khuneka.
May they live with ease.
May they experience grace.
Yissa Adonai panav elecha ve'yaseym lecha shalom.
May they be at peace with themselves,
With their surroundings.
Now think of someone you have a little bit of conflict with,
A little bit of difficulty with,
Some sense of unease,
Dis-ease.
See if you can find some good reflecting in the things they've done,
In the choices they've made.
And if for whatever reason you can't,
Just switch to the other reflection,
Remembering that they too,
Just like each and every one of us,
Wants to be happy.
They want to feel happy.
Everyone wants the same sense of belonging,
The feeling of being at home in this body,
In this mind,
In this life.
And extend the blessing to them.
Yivarechecha Adonai ve'yishmerecha.
May they be safe.
Y'a'er Adonai panav elecha v'khuneka.
May they live with ease.
May they experience grace.
Yis'a Adonai panav elecha ve'yaseym lecha shalom.
May they be at peace with themselves,
With their lives,
With their surroundings.
Closing with a few moments of reflecting how all people want to be happy.
May they be happy.
Yivarechecha Adonai ve'yishmerecha.
May they be safe.
Y'a'er Adonai panav elecha v'khuneka.
May they live with ease.
Yis'a Adonai panav elecha ve'yaseym lecha shalom.
May they be at peace.
God,
It is oh so simple to find the evil,
The ugly,
The bad.
Help me learn to discount all that is negative in the other.
Show me the goodness,
The beauty,
The kindness in everyone I meet.
Teach me to search for the fine qualities in others,
To recognize their immeasurable worth.
Teach me to cultivate a love for all your children,
For no one,
No one,
Is without redeeming value.
Let the good in me connect with the good in others until all of the world is transformed through the compelling power of love.
