Yesterday, someone zoomed past me dangerously on the road.
I momentarily lost my temper.
But then realized that the person’s action was not targeted at me.
It was more about them than about me.
I didn’t need to react.
Felt grateful that I was safe.
This happens to us so often in so many different ways.
When we face something unpleasant, we assume intent where there was none. We take it personally. We react. We get stressed.
We often tend to perceive that all that is wrong around us and that bothers us is targeted at us.
That we are at the center of the universe.
The reality is different. We are not the centre but just a speck in the vast universe.
The universe has its own ways.
Things happen. At times unpleasant.
Just by acknowledging that they were not necessarily directed at us, that we just happened to be there in that moment - we can take so much weight off our heavy hearts.
I like to think of this as being an ‘Accidental victim’ - of someone’s misadventure, frustrations, insecurities, bad mood, rude behaviour…or call it whatever you want.
The one who is really suffering is the other person, not me.
My boarding school headmaster when confronted with frivolous complaints would often quip - “If you are not happy with it, do something to change it. If you can’t, change yourself.”
Decades later, that seems like such a sage advice to deal with life and its meandering ways.
Don’t take things personally.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
If it’s important, fix it.
If possible, try to adapt.
If you can’t, get out of it.
Whatever you choose to do, don’t carry the baggage in your mind and heart.
Live life fully!
That’s my wish for you this holiday season!
#merrychristmas #holidays #mindfulness #lifeadvice