“We should see only others’ good points, 

not their shortcomings.” 

Some things bear repeating. Often.

The above advice from Pure Land Patriarch Yinguang falls into that category. Why? It’s just so very easy to find fault with another person! Upon having seen all those faults, we recall them whenever he comes to mind. We become increasingly irritated by him, but we are oblivious to how we are reacting. Before we know it, we’ve become so irked by his shortcomings, we destroy any hope we have of our own possible contentment or of controlling our thoughts and feelings.

Our derisive behavior is a sad state of affairs. We’re only hurting ourselves because in focusing on another’s shortcomings, we either fail to notice his good points or just gloss over them. We thus condemn ourselves to being cranky and cynical. And miss out on his good points.

Surely he has some!

Possibly they’re just harder to see. Perhaps we’re so blinded by the bad that we miss the good. And maybe we just need to let go of being so picky.

Do not steal . . . (Click image for video)

Patience fosters humility,

impatience arouses arrogance.  

Patience is the ability to accept discomfort, to remain unperturbed in the face of obstacles, and to be steadfast in the pursuit of a goal. There’s no complaint or irritation. Or gritting of our teeth.

Humility is being honest with ourselves and recognizing that we have faults and make mistakes. And that, no, we are not the most important person in the room.

Patience fosters humility by enabling us to calmly view ourselves in relation to what we are undergoing. Doing so, we will be better able to respect the views of others and appreciate that their wishes matter just as much as ours.

Impatience is all the things patience is not. It is being restless and desirous, and getting irritated when things don’t go our way.

When impatient, we focus on what we feel and want. We can then become disdainful of others and dismissive of their views and feelings. And with all that, we fall into the snare of pride and arrogance. And wonder why people we like and care about avoid us.