the four agreements

Samuel on the crescent beach / rose hips / the meadow on the way to the crescent beach / queen anne's lace still blooming / I love green / Atlantic Rock crab / alyssum 

Don't Take Anything Personally

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

We take things personally when we agree with what others have said. If we didn't agree, the things that others say would not affect us emotionally. If we didn't care about what others think about us, their words or behaviour could not affect us. Even if someone yells at you, gossips about you, harms you or yours, it still is not about you! Their actions and words are based on what they believe in their personal dream. 

Our personal “Book of Law” and belief system makes us feel safe. When people have beliefs that are different from our own, we get scared, defend ourselves, and impose our point of view on others. If someone gets angry with us it is because our belief system is challenging their belief system and they get scared. They need to defend their point of view. Why become angry, create conflict, and expend energy arguing when you are aware of this? Don Miguel Ruiz - The Four Agreements

I had to get my well worn, dog eared copy of this fantastic book The Four Agreements to remind myself once again not to take the actions, words & behaviours of the mean people of this world personally ... not saying it's easy