I'm always struck by how hard so many of us are on ourselves, when we're surrounded by people who don't bat an eye at the harm they've done, who have no capacity for self-reflection & no interest in atonement.
I think it's related, though.
I think seeing their cruelty intensifies our own ache to do better, to offset the harm in their wake. We can't afford to err, because look how much error already exists!
But controlling for all error is impossible.
It's more important to choose to be kind.
@MLClark I also notice that a lot of people who would easily forgive another person for something, or even not give it a thought, will judge themselves harshly on what they'd overlook in someone else.
@MLClark Very nice. Thank you for sharing these thoughts.