Difficult People

Mornin'

How do you act when faced with difficult people? You know, the really cocky and selfish people that are more prevalent today then they were when I was a kid (70's). I have a really awesome way to deal with them. First, find an exit strategy from the situation. Then, honestly accept the person/situation for exactly what it is. Finally, do not judge or put down the other person(s) for how they acted. Oftentimes, there are patterns of behavior in individuals that are deeply engrained for very specific reasons. Maybe they are cocky and need to always get in the last word because they did not feel like they were provided enough attention or heard enough throughout their life. They can also be fortifying a poor self image or insecurity stemming from a myriad of issues.

If there is no exit strategy and you must perhaps work with an individual in a confined space or any other situation, be nice. Killing someone with kindness will stymie them more than anything else. I have learned that there is nothing more effective in combating difficult people than to just respect them and be nice to them. In all my years of dealing with a variety of people, it seems the action that paralyzes them the most is kindness. It is almost as if kindness is the great leveler. There have been those folks who I met that are just inherently nasty, cold, and calculated. They don't even respond to kindness. These folks are not bad people either. They seemed to be so lost in negativity from working overtime to build defenses to keep the world out that it becomes a lifestyle. Their chances are less than most.

The best way for me to act during my daily travels is to get centered in the morning with some quiet time where I meditate and contemplate (usually with a cup of Joe lol) what lays ahead that day. I then fire up my computer and begin my computing tasks. It usually involves writing in my blog as well as working on other projects I have been working on for some time. Then I may do some chores before heading out for the day to face life on life's terms. During my day, I will invariably have to draw from the reserves I created through my meditation and blogging. I also use many techniques to handle my day that I have learned from all the people I have crossed paths with during my short time on this earth. My days usually turn out well provided I pay attention to the cues my environment and the people in it give me. It is only when I fail to listen to that voice within my soul that I have trouble living in the world as I know it.

Peace