Some people are like garbage trucks – when they are full, they dump their garbage on others. It’s hard not to take it personally when you are the one who was gifted their smelly garbage. It’s not fair, it’s not right and it stinks! Recently, someone asked me how I could be nice to someone who was so mean to others including myself? This was an easy answer for me because I’ve been practicing it for years. I don’t take it personally. I separate the person from the behavior. I try to see past their behavior into what might be going on with them. If I am nice to them, I have a chance to influence their behavior next time – to teach them what is appropriate and what is not. It only works if it is done with genuine caring and concern for the person. If I hang onto my anger, they put up a wall and cannot hear me. My best chance to make a lasting difference is to stay at peace.
There are going to be people in our lives that do not like us. We have to learn to be at peace with the people who are not at peace with us. After all, there are people we do not like either. The key to staying peaceful rests on your reaction to what happens to you. Do you hang onto it looking for retaliation or do you deal with the situation professionally and peacefully and then let it go. If you don’t, they are controlling your thoughts and ultimately, your actions.
Don’t let others’ behavior ruin your personal time with family and friends. Let it go because you deserve better.
