The inevitability of death is overwhelming.

What is the point? Why strive when our accomplishments do not last? There is some logic to this line of reasoning. The fact is that we are going to die. And given enough time, all memory and evidence of our existence will fade from humanity’s collective memory. Most of us will not even be remembered four generations from now. Do you know anything about your Great Grandparents other than their names? Do you even know their names? Why should our lives be any more permanent?

We judge people on their actions. We look at their history, accomplishments, qualifications, and experiences, and then we want that person in our lives. We rarely consider what the person thinks of themselves. A good builder is good, not because they say and believe themselves to be good, but because they create sturdy, reliable, and safe houses.

Yet, when we judge ourselves, we do so based on momentary feelings. We may be positive, believing ourselves to be a paragon of beauty, virtue, and capability. Or we may be negative, believing ourselves to be total failures, unworthy of love and respect. These judgements are rarely accurate. We are too close to the subject matter, and our egos have a vested interest in keeping itself protected. We have the capability to justify anything. To distort reality such that our actions become the cornerstone of morality, truth, and rightness. When we acknowledge our shortcomings, we are far more forgiving of those shortcomings in ourselves than in others.