James Finley says to imagine a mother who tries and tries to soothe her crying baby. Finally, the baby falls asleep. The mother very carefully places the baby in the crib. Then she slowly and gently removes her hand from under the baby's head. Finley invites us to this same gentleness with ourselves when we meditate and become distracted. Slowly and gently come back to the realization that we are in the presence of the One who loves us. Can I be this loving and gentle with myself in meditation and other situations... when I am discouraged or fearful... when my short fuse fires at those I love... when I have wasted too much time??? I've enjoyed practicing this! I find it to be a much more beautiful response than harsh self-criticism.