Taking it personally

Have you ever had someone make a comment to you that ruined your day? The person might say, "Looks like you could lose a few extra pounds, " or "How stupid could you have been for doing that?" All of a sudden our mood changes and we take ownership of those statements. A single comment begins to snowball and we make our own contributions to the self-deprecation. "Gee, I must look like a blimp," "I'll never lose weight," or "I must be the dumbest person on the planet," take root as our thoughts for the day. Remember that what we focus on is what we attract. Rather than taking these comments personally, it would be healthier to see these criticisms as reflecting the fears and concerns of the originator. It is easier to point out the flaws in others than to take responsibility for their occurrence in our own lives. A person's fear of weight gain or being seen as stupid is projected onto you. Is it your responsibility to accept it as your truth? See it for what it is, make changes that are in your best interest, and recognize that the rest of the comment is none of your business. What negative comment have you heard lately that needs to be returned to its sender?