How people treat you is their karma;
how you react is yours.
While we may feel like we have the “right” to feel “wronged” by others, choosing to react with revenge or resentment will rob us of our peace (and might even divert you from your path.)
How much of YOUR day will you waste thinking and fuming, sputtering and complaining about THEIR behavior? We have no control over the behavior of others. All we can do to make this day OK – to minimize their negative influence – is to be fully conscious about our reaction.
As I see it, I have three choices:
- I can ACCEPT that the other person is having a difficult time and try to make things better for them – gently explain that their behavior is not acceptable and see if I can make their situation better. (Establish Boundaries. Maintain Integrity. Offer Generosity.) WIN-WIN
- I can ACCCEPT that the other person is having a difficult time and move forward, thankful for my circumstances (Maintain boundaries. Maintain Integrity. Express gratitude.) WIN-LOSE
- I can JUDGE them as WRONG (without considering underlying conditions they may be responding to) and respond with WRATH. (Break Boundaries, Lose Integrity, Respond in Anger) LOSE-LOSE
When we stop and think it through, I believe the choice is clear. Stopping long enough to make a conscious response is the key, right? I’m trying to practice getting curious before I get furious. And we all know that practice makes progress.
Our reaction is a choice – let us try to choose wisely. It may be “fair” to try to hurt someone who hurts me, but that doesn’t make it right.
#BreatheAndBelieve
