Why don't we see the positives in ourselves as easily as we see the negative!
Question: I just posted two questions before this one. The first one asked what trait we dislike most about ourselves. In about 5 minutes, I had 14 sincere responses. In Q #2, I asked which of your traits do you think should be passed on? I'm still waiting on an answer to that one. Why do you think we're so eager to criticize ourselves but so slow to see our good qualities? And, what do you think that says about us?
Answers: I just posted two questions before this one. The first one asked what trait we dislike most about ourselves. In about 5 minutes, I had 14 sincere responses. In Q #2, I asked which of your traits do you think should be passed on? I'm still waiting on an answer to that one. Why do you think we're so eager to criticize ourselves but so slow to see our good qualities? And, what do you think that says about us?
I think deep down everyone is trying to be the best person they can be, so we look to out faults first as things that need to be improved or changed. The last thing we look at is the good qualities we have, which should be the first thing really. As children when we misbehaved, we were told we were bad, and somehow with all the good our parents have done for us, that one little comment sticks in the back of out minds the rest of our lives. There fore we look for the negative things in us first, that's a bell already rung and we cant un ring it.
As a person who grew up in a Military Academy, I can say that it is probably because the way we are taught to do the right things is by learning how NOT to do it...so we naturally see what is wrong instead of the right.
I think that it is because we are too modest. Sometimes even the most selfish person can think again and take a step back, look at themselves and ask themselves... is it true? THe negatives are what might cause us stress and forget about the good things that they have done.
Possibly fear?
Is it cause no one wants to step out on a limb and say, "hey I'm good at X", and then have someone tell them their wrong, they SUCK at X and they are stupid for even thinking they were good.
But I agree with the first answer, I think we do learn to do things by learning how NOT to do them so we are instinctively negative.
Cause our bodies are in pain when this happens, we are ill and looking for the reason for it. Most often what's being overlooked are drugs/alcohol abuse, broken bones and injuries.
Aha! I answered your more recent question first - so am going 'back in time' as it were!
YOUR QUESTION: I think the main reason is that we know ourselves very well indeed - warts and all - but we cannot know any other person as well as they know themselves! Does this make sense?
In this way it is easier for us to either not know, or to make allowances for the faults and failings of others, because of what we DO like or love about them. We cannot 'fool' ourselves so easily!
What is that hymn in my head ... this line from it just cropped up ....
"and o'er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing."
I do this an awful lot!
Found it ....
Come Down O Love Divine Hymn
Come down, O love divine, seek Thou this soul of mine,
And visit it with Thine own ardor glowing.
O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear,
And kindle it, Thy holy flame bestowing.
O let it freely burn, til earthly passions turn
To dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
And let Thy glorious light shine ever on my sight,
And clothe me round, the while my path illuming.
Let holy charity mine outward vesture be,
And lowliness become mine inner clothing;
True lowliness of heart, which takes the humbler part,
And o