Its' not about them, it's about YOU!

Let's face it - we often place blame on others for our feelings. Thoughts pop into our heads such as "I'm mad because he..." or "I'm sad because she..." or "so-and-so did this which is why I'm so frustrated". Let's have a look at a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

That one insightful sentence says so much. There are usually a minimum of two people involved in your feelings (unless you're fighting with yourself) and the blame for your reactions and feelings lies in only one person's hands; YOURS.

Back to Eleanor... nobody can make you feel angry without your consent. If someone cuts you off on the highway you have a choice whether to get angry or whether to think to yourself "Hey, maybe he's rushing to the hospital because his child has been in an accident. And really, whats the difference, nobody got hurt." Or you can get frustrated, yell at him (though he can't hear you) and have the whole incident cause stress to your body and possibly ruin your mood for the rest of the day. The only person who gets hurt by the first latter reaction is You.

I could spout off a million incidences, scenarios and occasions where remembering that You own Your feelings can save you and yours a whole lot of unnecessary stress and aggravation - but this post is long enough and I'd rather hear from you:)

Forever thinking of the other shoe,
Nina Powers