exceptional encouragement

Most criticism is misdirected encouragement if the best intention is considered.
This punitive system tends to make everything that isn't approval negative.
There is a restorative spirit that can welcome opportunities to improve in place of defensive reflexes.
We MUST constantly teach ourselves to build better characters by allowing exceptions.
Rules demand degrees of submission that give the excuse to beat ourselves (and others) because of difficulty stopping (and letting go.)
Values balance judgment as the substitute for rules.
Judgment balances the reflex to criticize and / or approve.
Restore values for the sake of qualities that support living exceptionally.
EXCEPTIONS were made before RULES or we wouldn't all feel so exceptional.