The Benefits of Not Taking Things Personally
The biggest benefits of not taking things personally are self-awareness and clarity. Being centered and grounded while knowing that only you can dictate whether or not you’re on track or whether or not you’re successful is a reward in and of itself. Anyone who has experienced this state of being knows how good it feels. Once you get a taste of it, you’ll strive to be in that state more often. Even when you get thrown off, you’ll relish the knowledge that you get to choose whether or not to remain stuck. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.”
Christine Kane, "How to NOT Take Things Personally: A Practical Guide" http://christinekane.com/blog/how-to-not-take-things-personally-a-practical-guide/#comment-388978
Don't take things personally??? Hmmmm.... I am not sure that I agree....although I laughed aloud, when I read, "shut up and listen" [A friend gave me that advice, which I have heeded.] OK, not engaging in self-torture, and not becoming bitter about little things in daily life, OK, I can endorse--embrace--that wholeheartedly.... But...Without taking things personally, there is no hope for insight, growth, or sensitivity.... Without taking things personally, there is no hope of flourishing from "negative" experiences, or influences. Now, taking things personally may not be comforting, at first. But....It seems to me that the very core of living--breathing--demands "taking things personally," inhaling the world around us....inhaling all of the lessons available to us to live more fully...more authentically. Many times I have learned from--been given insight regarding--experiences and comments that others lovingly advised me not to take personally. By negative experiences and comments, I am referring to those in my life that have been related to disabilities over which I have no control to change. Ignorance of others is not an excuse to make. To do so is to miss the opportunity to nurture positive attitudes and deeper understanding between each of us as human beings. I will reread this, and try to apply it. In my humble opinion, we need to engage in more "taking things personally," not less.
