Chelle Summer

The Advantage of Taking a Step Backward

Michelle Rusk

None of us could ever count the number of times people have been rude, unkind, or downright mean to us. Especially in recent times, it feels like it’s more prevalent than ever before. It’s annoying and obviously hurtful. We wonder why people have to act, well, that way. And we find it easy to get caught in their web and might start snarling ourselves.

And that’s when it’s time to remember: it’s usually not about us. If you trip someone, that is about you (unless you didn’t mean to do it). But if someone treats you badly for no reason, perhaps just because you’re standing right there, then that’s on them. Don't get caught in their bubble!

Their bubble isn’t a happy place; it’s not a bubble you want to be in. I realize it’s painful and baffling, but you don’t know why they are projecting such annoyance on you. Perhaps it’s better not to know.

We’re complex beings (if my dogs spoke English they’d tell me that all the time) and often we do things that don’t make sense. We all have bad days; we all say things we don’t mean. Our world would be better if everyone took a step backyard before saying something (or in today’s world, before posting that comment!), but that might not change. What we can change is our reaction to it.

Think of something positive; think of someone in your world who likes you, who cares about you. Think of your dog. Think of what inspires you, makes you happy.

Anything that will take your mind off what isn’t worth giving another thought to. Life is too short for that.