By ONE MANTRA THAT WILL STOP YOU FROM TAKING THINGS PERSONALLY TODAY
Angel Chernoff
Today, remind yourself to watch your response.
When something stressful happens in a social situation, what is your typical response? Some people jump right into the action, but oftentimes immediate action can be harmful. Others get angry, or frustrated. Still others start to feel sorry for themselves, or victimized… and are left thinking: “Why can’t other people behave better?”
Responses like these are not healthy or helpful in the moment. In fact, whenever your snap response lacks a mindful pause and a little acceptance, you’re likely taking things too personally. And you’re not alone. We all make this kind of 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!
- Does someone hurt 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 an unimportant dog barking in the distance, or a pesky bumblebee buzzing by) that you can either respond to with a constructive 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 respond is yours.
When you THINK BETTER, you LIVE BETTER!
