Take Heart - Notice The Goodness Within

We often hear the wish “if only I had a chance to begin again, I would do things so much differently”? In these situations have no hesitation in offering reassurance to the troubled person. Yet, we can find our own selves weighed down by our failures - whether real or imagined. This is designed to remind us of the goodness that resides within each one of us.
Photo by Andres Siimon on Unsplash

Transcript

Dear friends,

Have you noticed how when we reflect back over our lives,

We can be the most severe judges in our own cases?

Yet you will have seen how we are prepared to make allowance for the faults and failings of other people.

Family and friends come to us,

Especially in time of illness or where end-of-life concerns are arising.

People express regret for things done and things left undone,

For the harsh words said and all the kind words left unsaid.

So often in these heart-to-heart chats we hear the wish,

If only I had the chance to begin again,

I would do things so much differently,

Wouldn't we all?

In times like this,

We will have no hesitation in offering reassurance to the troubled person.

We point out all the good they have done,

The effort they have made,

The fact that on any reasonable assessment,

This person has made a contribution to the community in which they lived.

We work to reassure them that their life has been worthwhile.

Yet we can find our own selves weighed down by our failures,

Whether real or imagined.

These slip-ups,

Acting as a ball and a chain tied around our ankles and preventing us from moving forward.

This putting down of ourselves is of no benefit at all.

It is of no use to us,

And,

Interfering as it does with our own capacity to begin again,

It is of no service whatsoever to anyone else.

I live in Dublin in Ireland,

And I still remember words which,

Years ago,

Were offered repeatedly by a kind and elderly priest speaking to his congregation.

This was in a little church located about 15 minutes' walk from our house.

This warm-hearted,

Compassionate man regularly reminded his parishioners,

We are not bad people trying to be good,

We are good people trying to be better.

When we look at our lives objectively,

Can't we admit with gratitude that we fit into this category?

Here we are,

Logging into Insight Timer,

Making use of meditations,

Prayers,

Talks and reflections.

The simple fact that you are listening to this talk is evidence of your good intention,

Proof of your wish to try to be a better person tomorrow than you were yesterday.

In the Roman Catholic tradition there is the practice of confession,

Or what is called the sacrament of reconciliation.

It is a practice which is,

As far as I know,

In decline.

It involved entering a mercifully darkened space,

Known as a confession box,

And telling a priest of your faults and failings.

This encounter included an expression of sorrow for the faults confessed.

This was accompanied by the making of a firm purpose of amendment.

In a form which was known as an act of contrition,

The penitent emerged from confession with a great sense of faults forgiven,

A walking on air feeling,

Burdens lifted,

And hope for the future encouraged by a renewed purpose of amendment,

A resolution to begin again.

In the same tradition there is a recommended practice for the end of the day.

This involves an examination of conscience,

Looking back over the events of the day,

And especially paying attention to things that might have been done better.

It too was accompanied by a prayer expressing sorrow,

And a commitment to do better in future.

Whatever about entering a confession box in order to seek renewal,

These practices remind us of how important it is that we reflect from time to time on how we are living our lives.

This custom helps us to consider the possibility and the need for a change of direction,

A crossroads where we pause and decide to work to improve our performance in the play of life.

This is something that we can do,

Each of us in our own time and at intervals of our own choosing.

In carrying out this examination let us treat ourselves with kindness,

Just as we would treat other people with understanding and gentleness.

After all,

If we were all to be examined on our past performance,

I imagine few,

If any of us,

Would emerge with honours.

This breathtaking life of ours has its ups and downs,

Its unexpected twists and turns,

Not to mention the obstacles and fences which we sometimes fail to clear as we should.

We can trip and fall,

We can lose a limb or break a leg along the way.

The important thing is that each time we tumble,

We pick ourselves up and we begin again.

How do we do this?

We might decide to examine our conscience at the end of each day,

Or maybe this is something that we might reserve for special days,

Days such as birthdays,

Anniversaries,

New year or whatever.

The important thing is this,

That we pause from time to time to allow ourselves space to carry out this important exercise.

In conducting this review,

We shouldn't allow ourselves to sink into the mud of our past failings.

This examination is a positive assignment designed to lift ourselves up.

It's not intended to have the effect of discouraging us further.

Yes,

We all know we cannot undo the past,

But with lessons learned and applied as a result of our past mistakes,

We can create a better future.

We can decide to do this right now.

We can determine to do better,

Resolve to be better,

And allow ourselves the wonderful possibility of leaving this world in a happier state than the one in which we found it.

So if someday you happen to be feeling a little under the weather,

If some memory of your past pops up into your mind to trouble you,

Please call to mind the words of that warm-hearted Dublin priest and know for certain that you are not a bad person trying to be good.

You are a good person trying to be better.

Let those words be your encouragement to begin again and again and again.

Namaste.

Reviews

Tony has such a soothing voice. The way he guides the participant through his meditations, reminding everyone of the world around them, is very magical and healing.

Thank you Tony. This is Exactly what I needed to hear today. My birthday is coming up. 12/25 & I am getting older. So lots of reflecting on my life. 🙏🏼😊

What a lovely talk to start day with.
I used to tried to be perfect and punished myself for mistakes. And the worse things is, I expected from others to be perfect.
That was some time ago but I still tend to feel bad when I make a mistake.
I will remind myself this talk, when it happens again. Thank you ❤️ 🙏

“I am a good person, trying to be better”. What a wonderfully compassionate thought, Tony. And I’m not alone. Almost without exception, most of us on the planet are doing exactly the same thing! Thank you for this. 🙏

Wonderful way to start a new day
Thank you so much 😊

Tony I just adore the gentleness, love and compassion that comes from your lyrical voice and person. Thank you for your wisdom and kindness. You’ve helped me many times now.

Loved this and the saying of the priest! Shall share it often with people trying to recover from addiction! Thank you Yony as always! Namaste 🙏

Especially love “ you aren’t a bad person trying to be good , you are a good person trying to be better ! “ Thank you Tony from beautiful Salt Lake City ! Your words help me to see things from a new perspective and that is wonderful !

Thanks Tony very uplifting message to always keep in mind.
Once again I am grateful to you for reminding me that I am a spiritual being having a human experience who is constantly learning about how to be better everyday
Namaste 🙏

I absolutely love this. “We are not bad people, trying to be good but good people trying to be better” ❤️

“Begin again, Finnegan”. Always a pleasure, Tony.

Thank you from me and my dog, Finnegan, who also listens attentuvely.

There is something magical about Tony Brady. His calming voice, lack of judgment, positive reflections and insight, and more, resonate with me so much. Thank you Tony.

Another amazing message ! Thank you Tony! I shall always keep it in mind and look forward with a smile.❤️🙏.

Enjoyed this one after listening to one on a Japanese philosophy, basically about acceptance. They went together well. Thanks, Tony.

"I'm not a bad person trying to be good. I am a good person trying to be better." Thank you for this reminder, Tony, and for another excellent meditation to begin this day.

Thank you!! So inspirational and much needed!! Love your kind voice!!❤️🙏🏽

I just love his phrase,” I’m a good person trying to be better!”” Each day, each moment is a new beginning ❣️

We are so blessed by you. I thank God for the gift to us that is you. Namaste 🙏

“You are a good person trying to be better.” And each morning, we wake up to begin again.

Thank you for this!

Wise words! Thank you, Tony. I will carry the priest's words with me 🙏