Who’s Your Own Best Friend?

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When someone comes along with a critical word,

And something inside you feels shaken, feels stirred,

That sting that you feel is a signal, a sign,

That some inner critic was waiting in line.

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Another's harsh words can only have sting

If you already believed the thought they bring.

But if you’ve befriended all of you that’s inside,

Then when others blame you, you’ll take it in stride.

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If you get defensive, if those walls start to rise,

It means something was lurking behind your own eyes.

Their words hit a target that was already half-made,

Your own false self-blame had to erect a blockade.

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Another's harsh words can only have sting

If you already believed the thought they bring.

But if you’ve befriended all of you that’s inside,

Then when others blame you, you’ll take it in stride.
 

The critics can target only what’s already there,

Those internal conflicts that are pre-made for their snares.

Their arrows will find nothing on their flight through your mind,

If you’ve duly ensured that with yourself you’ve been kind
 

Another's harsh words can only have sting

If you already believed the thought they bring.

But if you’ve befriended all of you that’s inside,

Then when others blame you, you’ll take it in stride.
 

So tend well to those voices that speak inside of yourself,

Your Now, Next, Oneself, and Others, all aligned in good health.

When all four work together and no fighting ensues,

Then no words from outside have any power to undo.

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Another's harsh words can only have sting

If you already believed the thought they bring.

But if you’ve befriended all of you that’s inside,

Then when others blame you, you’ll take it in stride.