“Appreciation is
to humans what the sun is for plants”
(Frank Iversen)
There are certain people –
ones we know intimately and others we meet for the first time – who, for one
reason or another, irritate us. It could be the way they act or talk, the way
they look or walk. And while there is no need to always change our perspective
about those people – leaving the scene
or minimizing the time we spend with them could be the right thing to do –
we lose many opportunities when we mindlessly succumb to the dictates of our
unpleasant reactions.
Reflecting on the source
of our dislike toward another person can reveal something about ourselves,
because we often get annoyed by
precisely those things we dislike in ourselves. Learning to appreciate
things about the person who vexes us can help us cultivate the benefit-finder within, as well as develop
deeper compassion – both of which will contribute to our relationships with
others and with ourselves. What can you learn from others now?
Don’t allow others to upset you,
Appreciate and learn from those around you.
Lord, Give
Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)
References:
1. Choose the Life You Want: 101 Ways to Create You Own Road to Happiness
by Tal Ben-Shahar, PhD (New York: The Experiment, 2012) Buy this book!
2. An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life by Dalai Lama
(New York: Back Bay Books, 2002).
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