It really irritates me when I find myself affected by negative people. When others choose to focus on some slight they perceive or something they don’t understand and they take it personally — then they demand redress, changes and an overabundance of attention. I find this kind of irritation gets under my skin and bothers me a little … a little more… and then, if I”m not attentive it can really honk me off.
It’s my responsibility to keep a steady flow of peace in my life. To see the irritations and let them go. To recognize that some problems are truly none of my business and have nothing to do with me. It is my attaching something (my irritation perhaps?) to the problem that gets me involved. I don’t know exactly why I think I have to understand other people so deeply. Or why I think it is helpful for me to get involved in issues that bother others so much. Probably some “superman complex” of mine – I want to save them from their own pain. Sheesh!
For me to have serenity and calmness in my life others don’t have to change their behavior or even do things differently. I can see the reality of a problem for what it is. Negativity, immaturity, fear. And then I can choose to look at something else. If I try hard enough I can often come to a place where I feel compassion for someone who is caught up in this kind of vicious cycle of negativity and anger. My life is better for this practice.
And lately, I’ve had a lot of chances to practice this! Ha!
5 comments
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November 9, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Aimee
Thanks for this post. Just this morning my boss said to everyone in a meeting that I looked hung over and tired. I was really annoyed that he would say something like that. I was reeling over it after the meeting and was about to write a nasty instant message to a coworker about it full of complaints and negativity, when I read this post. Not only did it remind me that I have to make my own peace in my life and not be based soley on reactions, but it also saved my coworker from bringing that negativity into his life.
Thanks for the reminder!
November 9, 2007 at 8:11 pm
mountweazel
do you know who i am do you know what i do?
November 9, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Cindy
Hey Aimee – that’s great!! I think the beauty of this site is that we help each other by reminding each other that we’re NOT alone in this struggle!
Living a life of choice, of peace and of consciousness isn’t easy!! Sounds like you will end up with a much better weekend because you chose to be awake – and make a choice!
Cool!
November 9, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Cindy
mountweazel – no.
November 12, 2007 at 11:12 am
Summer
I am happy to say that I got through the whole weekend of deer hunters and irritating kids in my house very relaxed and calm by choosing to not let them drag me down. In another time, I would have been a total wreck! Now if only I can remember that next weekend for the Thanksgiving festivities!