"Nobody can hurt me without my permission". Mahatma GandhiWhy is it that some choose to hurt others with that most powerful of human weapons; the tongue? Harsh words are usually a reflection of the anger, frustration or cynicism of the speaker. Put-downs, expectations, criticisms and in the case of children, name-calling, have a profound impact on the victim. Why do we allow ourselves to be wounded by the projections of others? It is because we believe the words to be true. We flagellate ourselves by allowing words to replay in our minds, leaving cuts and wounds that fester. In our unhappiness we in turn lash out at others. How often do parents find fault in their children that they may recognise as their own?
Sometimes criticism is deserved. However, deliberately hurtful words cannot be deserved and we should not give ourselves permission to let them wound us. Learn to recognise the source of the hurt or anger in those who are hurtful. Then let it go. You can do little to solve the unhappiness of others. All you can do is to show love and kindness.
When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand, where the winds can erase it away. But when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone, where no wind can ever erase it. Learn to write your hurts in sand and carve your blessings in stone.
No comments:
Post a Comment