🌿 You Are Not Alone
Dear friend, I see how deeply the waves of praise and criticism can stir the waters of your heart. It’s natural to feel lifted by kind words or wounded by harsh ones—this dance touches the very core of our ego. Yet, within this struggle lies a precious opportunity: to learn how to steady the mind and find peace beyond these shifting tides. You are not alone in this.
🕉️ Timeless Words
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन।
नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि॥
— भगवद्गीता 3.22
na me pārthāsti kartavyaṁ triṣu lokeṣhu kiñchana
nānāvāptam-avāptavyaṁ varta eva cha karmaṇi
Translation:
"O Arjuna, there is no duty for Me in all the three worlds, nor have I anything to attain that is not already attained; yet I engage in action."
Meaning:
Krishna reminds us that even the Divine acts without attachment to results, unaffected by praise or blame. This teaches us that true freedom comes when we perform our duties without letting ego cling to approval or recoil from criticism.
🪬 Guiding Lights
- Praise can inflate the ego, making the heart restless and dependent on others’ opinions.
- Criticism, if taken personally, can wound the ego and provoke anger or jealousy.
- The Gita encourages acting with equanimity—neither elated by praise nor dejected by blame.
- True self-worth arises from inner steadiness, not external validation.
- Detachment from results and opinions purifies the mind and calms ego-driven reactions.
🌊 Inner Dialogues
You might be telling yourself, “I need others to recognize me to feel worthy,” or “Their harsh words define who I am.” These thoughts can trap you in a cycle of craving and hurt. It’s okay to feel vulnerable; your ego is just a part of your human experience trying to protect you. But remember, your true self is beyond these fleeting judgments.
📿 What He Would Say...
"My dear friend, do not let the praise make you proud nor the criticism make you despair. Both are like the wind passing over the ocean—sometimes gentle, sometimes strong—but the ocean remains vast and calm beneath. Be like that ocean. Your worth is not in others’ words but in the eternal self within you. Walk your path with steady heart and quiet mind."
🌱 A Familiar Story
Imagine a student preparing for exams. When praised, they feel proud and confident; when criticized, they feel crushed and discouraged. But the wise student learns to focus on the learning itself, not the applause or the scolding. Their growth comes from steady effort, not from the highs and lows of others’ opinions. So too can you cultivate this steady inner focus.
✨ Just One Step Today
Today, when you hear praise or criticism, pause for a moment. Breathe deeply and remind yourself: “This is just a passing wind. My true self remains calm.” Let this small pause be your anchor.
🧘 Pause the Scroll
- How does praise affect your sense of self?
- When criticized, what emotions arise, and can you observe them without judgment?
📢 Whisper to Share
Praise and blame are but passing clouds—let your soul shine like the endless sky.
🌼 This Moment Forward
Beloved seeker, your heart is a sacred space where storms may come but cannot last forever. You are more than the echoes of applause or the sting of words. Within you lies a stillness that no praise can inflate, no criticism can diminish. May you find that unshakable peace today and always. You are deeply loved, just as you are.