Mindfulness has changed my life in countless ways, but probably the most noticeable shift has been in the way that I talk to myself. I’ve always been unnecessarily hard on myself about getting it right in life. After almost 9 years of practice that undercurrent of criticism has slowed to a bed in the river where I can wade in the current. My mindfulness practice has softened the voice of the drill sergeant and helped me to respond to those narratives with greater understanding, compassion and gentleness.