In my dream yesterday I met myself

In my dream yesterday I met Myself. And I was a masochist. And so I offered to punch myself in the stomach, and she offered to punch me back, and we just continued to punch each other.

It was a weird dream.

But when I woke up, I realized it was an interesting metaphor for what we do to ourselves every day.

From the playground sentiments of "it's not fair" or "this is mine" to the more nuanced feelings of "I'm not enough (think smart, good-looking, successful, etc.)" we beat ourselves up.

Constantly.

We attach ourselves to "I" and mine - both egoic concepts that create suffering. And judgment sits on top of them both.

We beat ourselves up for what we have, what we don't have, and what we "should" have.

We beat ourselves up for who we are, who we aren't, and who we "should be."

And If I'm honest, there's a part of me that enjoys wallowing in that "self" indulgence but there's a stronger part that knows - with every punch I throw, I'm just hurting myself.

What do you beat yourself up about? What are the roles of judgment and ego? What would be possible if you let them go?