Day 22 - Meeting Your Own Standard

In Tibetoen Buddhism in the 7 Point Mind Training there is a phrase that always stood out to me. “Always depend on the better of two witnesses.” This is powerful for me at all times, but particularly in the 40 Day Invitation To Genius. It is a statement of kindness, but also of transformation. It is life advice for every time. 

You have a range of your typical mood. It is your emotional homeostasis. You have a range of irritability, of depression and optimism. Others may describe you as an optimistic person, or an irritable one. 

That is the range you tend to exist in. You are at one level on your “bad” days, and another level on your good ones. You most likely do not get despondent on most tough days, and do not act like you won the lottery on the best ones. 

However what if you tended toward your better days? What if you had more days that you felt good than bad? Doesn't it make sense that more good days than bad ones will tend to make a more enjoyable life? One that is more effective as well?

I am asking you to consider taking the better of two witnesses. At any given time there is the range that you could frame things. Not the way others would, but the way you would. Tend toward your more optimistic view. Include meeting your own standards in that. When critiqued, check in.: Am I meeting my own high standards? Focus on your own commitment to excellence. If you achieve that you will be the better of two witnesses.