Personal affronts are just that—a front.
Please discuss. How does this play out in life?
I’ll start us out. As a nation, we’ve gotten rude. Our discourse embraces far too many attacks, and those on the receiving end are prone to take them personally. It’s difficult not to accept them as a verbal assault when that intent seems plain.
Both sides of the equation—the giving and the receiving of insults—involve fear and vulnerability. When we attack verbally, we do so to appear strong and make our target appear weak by comparison. We do so because we fear the other and the vulnerability we feel because of that fear. We’re afraid we’re not good enough and attempt to make the other appear to be even less than we seem to ourselves. We put on a front of power.
When we’re attacked verbally, we likely react by either by bristling or cringing, either putting on an aggressive or passive front. We respond by appearing to be either predator or prey, abuser or victim. Neither response is needed, although we’re free to react as we choose, or not at all.
The verbal attack is merely someone’s expression opinion, born of their fear and pain. It has nothing to do with our identity as an interconnected expression of divine consciousness. The other’s words do not define us and cannot affect us unless we allow them to alter our self beliefs.
Today’s message reminds me to be aware both of what I say to and about others as well as how I receive what they say about me. I will want to express and receive words neutrally and kindly, filtering out fear and pain. I can look past the armor others project and avoid creating my own barriers. The face of the divine can be reflected in my interactions, when I am willing to see myself and others clearly.
How about you? How do you feel about personal affronts?