Taking offense is a choice. Years ago my father said to me that if I choose to be offended by what someone else says, I am giving that person power over my life. That seems to have changed a little in the past few years, and it bewilders me. Somehow, being offended has become the vehicle by which the offended, not the offender, has power.
Apparently being a victim is more acceptable than the old adage "live and let live." Sorry, I do not agree! No matter what the popular sentiment is, I will continue to live with the wise words of my father. I will choose to NOT be offended. I will choose to allow other their opinions, and will continue to voice mine. If someone takes offense, I will remind them that is their option, but it is not how it was meant. If someone says something to hurt my feelings, I will remember it is only their opinion and their opinion is not worth anymore than someone else's, and certainly not worth more than my own. And this very thought process gives me so much comfort, security and power over the only thing I have any control over -- my life.
Comments(0)