When you feel yourself starting to beat yourself up about something,
there’s a very simple technique that can help ease it.
Pretend you are your best friend.
How would you talk to your friend?
You would never tell your best friend the things you tell yourself.
You’d never treat anybody the way you treat yourself.
You wouldn’t talk to somebody you love that way, would you?
Give yourself the compassion, friendship, and support
that you would to anyone you care about.

Shakti Gawain, from the book,
Awakening: A Daily Guide To Conscious Living