Why We Are Offended by Others…

According to Mike Robbins, a well-known author, we get offended by what people say, things on TV, opposing political opinions (especially these days), noise, music, traffic, weather, our family, different view points, and so much more. We believe we are right and others are wrong, if they don’t agree with us. Many of our opinions are self-righteous. Can you relate? What if we allowed others to be as they are? We take so many things personally that have nothing to do with us. When you are reacting emotionally to someone or something, it’s your shadow or mirror that this negative thing is showing you about yourself and life. The more we react to something, the less freedom and peace we have.
1) It’s not all about you. Even though it may seem like someone is being rude to you or something is happening directly to you, most of the time the things you take personally or get offended by have little or nothing to do with you.
2) Have compassion for others. While you don’t have to simply allow people to treat you poorly or let them walk all over you, if you can have compassion for them instead of assuming they’re out to get you, it makes life more peaceful all the way around. Often when other people act in a way you find “offensive,” they are having a difficult time themselves.
3) Right or happy, you choose? In life, you have a choice – you can be right or you can be happy, not both. When you’re obsessed about being right all the time – you’re easily offended. When you let go of your need to be right, you have the space to be happy, peaceful, and joyful.