The Art of Not Getting Offended

People get offended way too easily. No offense, but this can ruin your day and turn you into a Negative Nancy. It doesn’t have to be that way though. Let’s be above the influence. Ladies and gents, here’s the art of not getting offended…

You have the choice. You choose whether or not to get offended by something. So why would you ever make the choice to let someone or something bring you down? Most people don’t realize this, and live life in reactive-mode to what goes on around them. Slow down, and be aware that you choose to be, or not to be, offended.

It’s them, not you. When someone hurls out insults, it’s a manifestation of their own inner frustration. Happy people don’t project negativity. And if you encounter a negative person, maybe they’re having the worst day of their life. You never know. So don’t take offense when someone projects negativity or anger; that’s their own pain. No need to make it yours.

Don’t rigidly attach your identity to an external idea or system. This includes race, religion, nationality, all that stuff. Belief is fine, but you need to maintain fluidity. If you attach your whole identity to something external, you open yourself up to being both incessantly offended and manipulated. Be open-minded, without rigidly clinging to an external image. Celebrate your uniqueness!

Have confidence in yourself. Be confident enough in yourself so you don’t need external validation. If you’re confident, you’re a lot less likely to be offended. Overcome your insecurities and take steps to build your confidence.

Liberation… Not caring what other people think is ultimate freedom. This manifests out of building enough self-confidence to transcend doubt stemming from what others (including society as a whole) think.

To not let anything external change the course of what you want to do in life.

To not follow what people think you “should” do out of fear.

Note: This doesn’t mean go around acting a fool. If what you’re doing causes harm or annoyance to others (or yourself), you’ve missed the whole point.

Stop getting offended. Nobody can take your happiness away from you but yourself.

Get busy living.

-Stevie P!