Maintaining a constant defense against potential ego threats takes a lot of time and energy - way more than I am willing to expend these days, especially as it relates to ex-spouses and difficult people at work.
Instead, I would rather adopt the position that I don't have to, and am not going to, take everything that comes out of their mouth as a personal attack.
It hasn't always been easy, and on occasion, I still succumb to the temptation, but I am happy with my progress so far.
It has allowed me to keep an open curiosity about the people around me. Everyone has a story to tell, and boy, I'll tell ya! Those stories are fascinating. I have found, for instance, that if I can remain grounded in who I am, it is that much easier to appreciate the other person for who they are.
We don't have to be the same. We don't have to agree. We do not have to think the same way, or view things in the same way.
I am totally okay with that. And now that I know that, other people don't bother me nearly as much. :-) I am able to feel compassion for them to a much larger degree. It takes the edge off. And I can be compassionate towards me too, to accept myself as I am - with all my quirks and idiosyncrasies in place. I don't have to be perfect, and neither do they.
How 'bout that?!
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