*August 20th*

It is so easy to criticize others inside and outside of our family. The criticism, the scolding, is often a defense so that we don't see certain problems in ourselves.

One day I was driving down a freeway in Dallas. I noticed how dirty and unwashed a vehicle was that passed me. Recalling this principle, I immediately recognized that my car was equally as dirty, if not more than the vehicle I first criticized. I wondered to myself why I did not examine other cars that were also driving down the freeway? Could it be because I felt guilty for how I had neglected the care of my own vehicle, and that, even though the feeling was really quite simple, I wanted to see someone else to "pin it on?" ... We all know the saying that when we point a finger at someone else, there are always three fingers pointing back.

Today's Reminder
It's sometimes a shock to have our thinking errors pointed out to us, but I must always remember that in the Parent Team Intervention meetings, and when I'm with my therapist, the motive is loving and meant to be helpful.

If I'm on the wrong track, I want to know it so I can correct my faulty attitude. Others can often see our problems more clearly than we can, and from that we get our best help.

"Teach me to think straight, and not to take offense at criticism which is meant as loving guidance."

[Taken and fashioned from "One Day At A Time In Al-Anon" for the "Parent Team Intervention Program" by Jim Hogue, MA, MFTI, 8-20.]