Stop Taking Things Personally Today
Today, REMIND YOURSELF: People are toxic to be around when they believe everything happening around them is a direct assault on them or is in some way all about them.
That is the truth. Let it sink in deep.
What people say and do to you is much more about them, than you. People’s reactions to you are about their perspectives, wounds, and experiences. Whether people think you’re amazing or believe you’re the worst, again, is more about them and how they view the world. The key is in not allowing anyone's crude commentary to control you in any way. They don’t deserve to control you. In fact, the real test always comes when you don't get what you expect from people. Will you react in uncontrollable emotion? Or will calmness be your superpower?
Now, I’m not suggesting we should be self-indulged narcissists and ignore all the opinions and commentary we receive from others. I’m simply saying that incredible amounts of hurt, disappointment, and sadness in our lives come directly from our tendency to take things personally. In most cases, it’s far more productive and healthy to let go of other people’s good or bad opinions of you, and to operate with your own intuition and wisdom as your guide.
The underlying key is to...
Watch Your Response
When something stressful happens in a social situation, what is your response? Some people jump right into the action – but oftentimes immediate action can be harmful. Others get angry, or sad. Still, others start to feel sorry for themselves… and victimized… and left thinking: “Why can’t other people behave better?”
Responses like these are not healthy or helpful. In fact, whenever your response lacks a mindful level of acceptance, you’re likely taking things too personally. And you’re not alone. We all make this mistake sometimes.
If someone does something we disagree with, we tend to interpret it as a personal attack...
That is the truth. Let it sink in deep.
What people say and do to you is much more about them, than you. People’s reactions to you are about their perspectives, wounds, and experiences. Whether people think you’re amazing or believe you’re the worst, again, is more about them and how they view the world. The key is in not allowing anyone's crude commentary to control you in any way. They don’t deserve to control you. In fact, the real test always comes when you don't get what you expect from people. Will you react in uncontrollable emotion? Or will calmness be your superpower?
Now, I’m not suggesting we should be self-indulged narcissists and ignore all the opinions and commentary we receive from others. I’m simply saying that incredible amounts of hurt, disappointment, and sadness in our lives come directly from our tendency to take things personally. In most cases, it’s far more productive and healthy to let go of other people’s good or bad opinions of you, and to operate with your own intuition and wisdom as your guide.
The underlying key is to...
Watch Your Response
When something stressful happens in a social situation, what is your response? Some people jump right into the action – but oftentimes immediate action can be harmful. Others get angry, or sad. Still, others start to feel sorry for themselves… and victimized… and left thinking: “Why can’t other people behave better?”
Responses like these are not healthy or helpful. In fact, whenever your response lacks a mindful level of acceptance, you’re likely taking things too personally. And you’re not alone. We all make this mistake sometimes.
If someone does something we disagree with, we tend to interpret it as a personal attack...
- Our children don’t clean their rooms? They are purposely defying us!
- Our significant other doesn’t show affection? They must not care about us as much as they should!
- Someone hurts us? Everyone must be out to get us!
Some people even think life itself is personally against them. But the truth is, almost nothing in life is personal – things happen, or they don’t, and it’s rarely all about anyone specifically.
People have emotional issues they’re dealing with, and it makes them defiant, rude, and thoughtless sometimes. They are doing the best they can, or they’re not even aware of their issues. In any case, you can learn not to interpret their behaviors as personal attacks, and instead see them as non-personal encounters (like a dog barking in the distance, or a bumblebee buzzing by) that you can either respond to with a peaceful mindset or not respond to at all.
Here’s what you need to remember and repeat to yourself today…
You may not be able to control all the things people say and do to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.
Yes, there is an incredible amount of inner freedom that comes to you when you detach from other people’s behaviors. The way people treat you is their problem, how you react is yours.
When you THINK BETTER, you LIVE BETTER!
Truth be told, that’s exactly why
People have emotional issues they’re dealing with, and it makes them defiant, rude, and thoughtless sometimes. They are doing the best they can, or they’re not even aware of their issues. In any case, you can learn not to interpret their behaviors as personal attacks, and instead see them as non-personal encounters (like a dog barking in the distance, or a bumblebee buzzing by) that you can either respond to with a peaceful mindset or not respond to at all.
Here’s what you need to remember and repeat to yourself today…
You may not be able to control all the things people say and do to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.
Yes, there is an incredible amount of inner freedom that comes to you when you detach from other people’s behaviors. The way people treat you is their problem, how you react is yours.
When you THINK BETTER, you LIVE BETTER!
Truth be told, that’s exactly why
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