Episode 99 Allowing People to be Who They Are
“There is no such thing as a bad person. The people we seek to condemn are the people who can teach us the most about who we are if we simply take the time.
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If you think of the majority of frustrations you face in a day it is safe to say that they are from people. Your car may be acting up or the vending machine might not take your gnarled quarter, but the times you get upset in a day usually have people at the root of the issue.
Wouldn't it be great if everyone was exactly like you? You know, perfect. That would make life so much better, right?
"Thom, I never said I was perfect"
Ah, so you admit that you are flawed. Believe it or not, that is great. None of us are. We are all flawed. But now it is time for a lesson in semantics. We are all flawed but still perfect. In my mind perfect doesn't mean without flaws, it means that everything is working toward growth. Everything is happening to bring about the best possible outcome; that is perfect.
Everyone on this planet is trying to experience a joyous life. Yet, not everyone has the "playbook". Wouldn't it make everyone's life simpler if you allowed people to experience life the best way they know how.
The frustrations you face with the people you encounter is of your own doing. That's right, it's your perceptions that create the anxiety. You expect someone to act a certain way and when they don't you get upset.
The bigger point to make is that the people who cheese us off the most are the ones who can teach us the most about ourselves. Typically when someone acts in a way you don't like it is a perfect time to take a step back and ask 3 simple questions
- What are they doing that is upsetting me?
- Is this behavior something that I struggle with?
- Why am I getting so upset over it?
The best advice? Treat absolutely everyone like your Mother.
FREE Copy of LIFE 101 by Peter Mcwilliams
Question of the Day
What is the kindest thing you have ever done for a stranger
How did it make you feel?
Action of the Day
Choose one:
- Say hello to someone you do not know
- Start a conversation with someone you do not know
- Offer to help a stranger
- Genuinely smile at someone walking down the street
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