“People who are always telling us what’s wrong with us don’t help us so much as they paralyze us with shame and guilt. People who accept us help us to feel good about ourselves, to relax, to find our way. Accepting another person doesn’t mean we never share constructive suggestions. But like everything else, our behavior is not so much the issue as the energy that it carries. If I’m criticizing someone in order to change them, that’s my ego talking. If I’ve prayed and asked God to heal me of my judgment, however, and then I’m still led to communicate something, the style of my sharing will be one of love instead of fear. It won’t carry the energy of attack, but rather of support. Behavioral change is not enough. Covering an attack with sugary icing, with a sweet tone of voice or therapeutic jargon, is not a miracle. A miracle is an authentic switch from fear to love.”

Excerpt From: Williamson, Marianne. “A Return to Love”