How many daily reactions do you have to other people’s behaviors, words, or actions? How do you react if someone walks ahead of you through a door and lets the door slam into you or a family member who gossips about you? I know I spend too much time telling myself stories about what other people do.
What about you? Do you spend much time judging and talking about other’s behaviors?
I’ve read and reread over the years “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. This book is easy, yet in its simplicity, it teaches how to create well-being in our lives.
The #2 Agreement is ‘Don’t Take Anything Personally.’ When we take what others do seriously, we agree with their perception or behavior. Most of us think the opposite: if we pay attention, we may be able to change it. The more attention we give to another person’s behavior, the more we support it. That’s true for both negative and positive behaviors. It’s a choice we each make every day whether to focus on the positive or negative actions of others.
When I first read the chapter in “The Four Agreements,” I immediately thought that’s not easy to accomplish. I’m not unique; I probably believe most things are about me. Now, I think that when I’m reacting, my behavior is about me. How much we respond doesn’t matter; other people’s behaviors are not about us. It’s still all about them.
This is not to say that I allow others to behave destructively toward me; instead, I choose not to take what they do personally but instead focus on how to solve the problem for me.
I can talk with the person, let them know how I feel, and then let it go because the other person decides whether to change their behavior. If they choose not to change it, I can recognize it’s their behavior and decide not to have anything to do with them.
If I’m in a situation where I can’t remove myself, say at work, I can decide to recognize that their behavior is an indication of them and not me. It’s hard not to react, yet it’s amazing how much stress is released when we do. We get to take care of ourselves, recognizing we can’t change another person’s behavior.
When we decide to take it personally, what others do to us only adds more stress to our lives. We give attention to all that negative energy when we do not have any control over it. Maybe we can change our behavior by talking, discussing, or complaining about others. We cannot change their actions even if we share our reactions. So why take it personally? Instead, allow the other person to live with their choices. We decided to make our choices.
When I learned to let go of what others do, I relaxed and had more energy to live my life. Reacting to others takes a lot of energy, and I don’t want to give over to others my precious assets – my time and my well-being.
I have this image of taking a broom and dustpan and sweeping up all those reactions that permeate my daily living. After giving my mind an excellent sweep, I can now decorate it, believing I’m in charge of my choices. That doesn’t mean my choices are easy now; instead, I consciously stop reacting to what others do personally and give my power over to them. When I take responsibility for my reactions, I live with integrity and self-love.
It’s all about choosing what path we want to take in life…
Your Thoughts
Let me know where you are regarding what others do and whether you take it personally. Is it possible to let go of taking it personally?
Women’s Group Topics
Group situations can initiate reactions to other people’s behaviors. Does your group have situations where you can learn not to react to each other? A perfect topic to help each other handle situations and decide not to take responsibility for other people’s actions.
Be well,
Pat
“To fully enjoy the ‘richness’ of our lives, we need to stop long enough to visit with ourselves.”
(Pat Brill)
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The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom by Don Miguel Ruiz
I’m currently trying to learn this lesson myself. I was told I have PTSD and one thing I need to accept is that other’s behaviors don’t influence who I am.
Thank you for the lesson, reminder and book references (I love reading).
I found you through blogcatalog.com. I’ve read “The Four Agreements” and found it most useful. I love “The Artist’s Way” too! I will check in again. this is very interesting. Pls go read my blog when you have a minute: http://www.bluamaryllis.wordpress.com. Thanks!
Interesting article.. I feel I can take peoples reactions to me very personally, and I do form opinions of others from certain acts. Its very difficult not to do but I am going to make a positive start to stop caring what people think of me in 2010!
Very true in every respect. WE are so in the dark as to just how much e have control over our own happiness and positive thoughts. We pend entirely too much time identifying ourselves through other opinions and criticism.
Visual perception is an amazing trick in helping guide us towards not allowing exterior negativity to dictate how we should think and feel.
I applaud your incite and reach out to help empower and make aware what is within each and everyone if us from birth~