Somehow we have been trained to think if we can pick at ourselves, criticize with the hope of improvement, eventually all those pesky little or big aspects of self will simply disappear. Nothing could be further from the truth. Has criticism ever gotten you where you want to go? Bring compassion to the aspects of ourselves that are afraid, sad, grieving, lost, hurt, lonely, confused does bring peace, integration, whaling and, eventually, joy. Are you willing to bring compassion and kindness to the wounded aspects of yourself? Can you let those aspects cuddle in your own heart? Will you offer them mercy and refuge?