This past weekend I oddly experienced a couple situations in which my confidence was shaken and I was held up and called out as a bad example—or rather, an example of something unskillful. In a way I invited some of it but was surprised by the form it took and especially the visibility of it.

In many ways neither were fatal or that big of a deal. But I’ve always shied away from public criticism and failure and would usually do all I could to be flawless before putting myself out there. Turns out it’s embarrassing but it passes quickly.

After a couple days of tending my wounded pride I am seeing that these were held up not because I am uniquely bad and deserving of shame; rather because they were quite common problems, and my own thoughts and behaviors were useful illustrations so that others could learn with me. Others have the same struggles, and anyone piling on in judgment either was just expressing long held frustration or excited to look away from their own flaws.

We all practice together.