🌿 Let’s Begin Here
Ah, the warmth of praise can feel like sunlight on your face — uplifting, yet sometimes it stirs a restless breeze inside. It’s so natural to feel a flutter of pride or even discomfort when attention centers on you. But beneath that shimmer, your true self remains steady and unshaken. Let’s gently explore how to welcome praise without losing your calm center.
🕉️ Timeless Words
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज ।
अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ॥
(Chapter 18, Verse 66)
"Abandon all varieties of dharma and just surrender unto Me alone. I will liberate you from all sinful reactions; do not fear."
This verse reminds us that beyond all roles, achievements, and external validations, your essence is to surrender to the higher Self — the eternal, unchanging spirit within. Praise is fleeting, but your soul’s peace is permanent.
🪬 Guiding Lights
- See praise as a passing cloud, not the sky itself. It comes and goes; your true nature is the vast, steady sky beneath.
- Remember the source of your abilities. The Gita teaches that talents and successes are gifts of divine energy, not just personal trophies.
- Practice humility as strength, not weakness. True humility is the quiet confidence of knowing your value without needing applause.
- Detach from ego’s applause. Observe your feelings when praised — do they inflate or simply pass? This awareness softens ego’s grip.
- Offer gratitude, not grasping. Accept praise as a blessing, not a possession to cling to.
🌊 Inner Dialogues
You might hear a voice inside saying, “I deserve this; I’m better than before.” Or maybe, “What if they expect more from me now?” These thoughts can swell your ego or seed anxiety. It’s okay to notice these feelings without judgment. They are just ripples on the surface of your deeper, still self.
📿 What He Would Say...
“Dear one, the light of praise is not your true light. Do not let it blind you or cause you to stumble. Stand firm like the mountain, unaffected by the winds of applause or criticism. Your worth is not measured by others’ words, but by the calm, steady flame of your heart. Walk your path with grace, and let humility be your companion.”
🌱 A Familiar Story
Imagine a student who wins a prize in school. The applause feels wonderful, but if they start believing the applause is them, their inner peace wobbles. Instead, when they see the prize as a reflection of their effort and teachers’ support, not just their ego, they stay calm and keep learning with joy. So too, when praised, see yourself as part of a larger flow — your success is shared and transient.
✨ Just One Step Today
When someone praises you today, pause for a breath and silently say, “Thank you, and may this inspire me to serve with humility.” Let praise be a quiet encouragement, not a loud declaration.
🧘 Pause the Scroll
- What feelings arise within you when you receive praise? Can you observe them without judgment?
- How can you remind yourself that your true self is beyond applause or criticism?
📢 Whisper to Share
“Praise is a breeze; the soul, a mountain — steady, silent, and vast.”
🌼 A Final Blessing
May you walk through the world wrapped in the gentle cloak of humility, feeling the quiet strength beneath every word of praise. You are more than applause, more than recognition — you are infinite peace in action. Rest in that truth, dear heart, and shine without losing your center.