Wednesday 29 June 2011

15 Tips for Staying on Track: #13 - "Sometimes, ignoring is the appropriate response."

The quote in the title is from The Simpsons writer, George Meyer....wise words indeed.

If like me, you haven’t ever come across anyone who makes snippy, snidey remarks about your healthy lifestyle, then you (and I) are incredibly fortunate because believe me, there isn’t a day goes by when I don’t hear of someone being negative or venomous about someone else. It is a sad fact of life that often, when a mirror is held up to them, some people do not like what they see. Instead of looking at their own reflection, it's easier to be negative to the mirror.

Source unknown

To change one's life can be a huge and sometimes difficult step, and when naysayers see others do it, while they are stuck in their own ruts (whatever those ruts may be, not necessarily health-related), it reminds them of how much they continue along the same path. I'm sure we've all felt it, but the difference is that we are the ones who are now walking along a different path, while they sit back and try to rain on our parade.

When all is said and done however, the only people they are hurting are themselves. It's a shame because I suspect that that kind of negativity just feeds on itself; they find that a nasty comment doesn't make them feel better so the next time, they remember the frustration they felt, and they externalise it by being even nastier...which still doesn't make them feel better. And so on.

I believe the best way to combat this is to just smile and accept that their way is not your way, no matter how much they try to make you feel in the wrong.

And remember that they cannot make you feel anything, but you can choose to be upset, angered or offended by their comments. Make your choice.

No comments: