Choose Not to Be Offended.

Listen to me share the intro and The Principle for this journal entry, read it below, or both!

Intending or taking offense creates instant disconnection between people.

While we can’t ensure that our actions will never offend anyone, we can act with care, being outward-facing and putting other people first in every consideration.

At the same time, we have complete control over whether we give power to others to offend us. No one can offend us without our permission.

That’s a powerful realization and position.

We can’t be offended unless we choose to be — unless we give our permission.

When we live in a state of peace, we retain our freedom of choice. When ego rules us, causing us to live outside our place of peace, our freedom of choice diminishes. It becomes difficult, if not impossible, to choose not to be offended.

When we are at peace, we see the good in others’ intentions. This lens reduces the likelihood of misunderstanding. We allow others space for missteps. Our peace transfers, in part, to others, as they are seen, heard, respected, and appreciated by us.

When ego is piloting our journey, we are easily offended. We have allowed expectation to be our co-pilot. This team of ego and expectation causes our focus to be on ourselves, our image, or our position, rather than on other people. We are no longer outward-facing. Our options and opportunities dwindle.

These shortcomings are fixable.
We are in control of ourselves.

From our place of peace, we realize that others’ bad behavior is a reflection of their own suffering. We feel compassion. We strive to help those people find joy in their journeys.

Choose to see and assume the best in people and in situations.

Choose to view life in such a way that being offended isn’t an option.

Never give others permission to control you by choosing to be offended.

Let’s consider how to make these choices in The Practice…

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We’ve touched on both sides of offense scenarios: offending others (intentionally or unwittingly) and being offended. Let’s look at two simple practices that help overcome both of these points of disconnection and distractions to productivity.

Listen to me share The Practice, read it below, or both!