Is It Pity or Self-Compassion?

When you don’t trust your instincts, it’s easy to confuse self-pity and self-compassion.

When you’ve lived your life with the feeling of victimhood simmering in the background, mostly unnoticed, you can end up in a strange place.

Time to Reflect

About 18 months ago I read a book called “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle. My therapist recommended it to me. I owe her a lot. Thanks Caroline.

I was ignorant of my quiet, muted, “nice-guy” ego that had slowly taken control of my daily thoughts. It seemed to be the root cause of my victimhood mentality. It would never stop talking, critiquing, and interpreting. It was exhausting.

I was shocked to find out that that “voice” wasn’t me.

You Are Not Your Thoughts

The first time I heard this was on an episode of Sam Harris’ podcast, “Making Sense” aka “Waking Up.” I had to chew on it for weeks, maybe months. I heard it before reading Eckhart Tolle’s book. When I started recognizing my ego, and the internal dialogue it was constantly, incessantly, sending my way, life to started to make more sense.

Is It Self-Pity or Self-Compassion?

I don’t know. Every day is different. But some things are certain:

• I’ll continue aiming for self-compassion.
• I’ll continue to remind the victim inside that life could be a hell of a lot worse.
• I’ll do my best to recognize when my ego has taken back control.
• I’ll do things that scare me.
• I’ll do my best to built up others and the community around me.

Society is More Than a Collection of Financial Statements

I saw a tweet the other day where someone was dismissing the idea of a government getting involved in building “affordable housing” because it offers no ROI (return on investment) for the government. I disagree.

Society is more than a collection of financial statements.

Being able to afford a home provides psychological ROI, and societal ROI. It can lower a person’s time preference, increase self-esteem, and allow the value of ownership (and the responsibilities that come with it) to grow.

A healthy and valuable society is built upon individuals who feel healthy and valuable. I love finances, investments, and capitalism as much as the next FIer, but there is more to life and society then finances.