No matter what happens, we are always faced with the same three choices. We can accept, we can change or we can ignore.
Accept is an easy one and often chosen, but it seldom does much good. If someone calls you an asshole, you can either take it or fight it. If you ARE an asshole, just take it. You’ll feel better. But, if you’re not…
You can change the perception of the situation, too. Seeing as how you have the power to alter both your AND the other party’s perception, this choice is by far the toughest. In the aforementioned situation, I can first accept that I’m an asshole, then work diligently to alter their perception (hypothetically, of course) or I can tear into this other person and make them cry so hard that they retract the statement, thus changing my perception (not recommended for parties and/or around little kids).
Only those who are in a special place can ignore situations. Ignoring is QUITE different than accepting because it involves a complete dismissal of a point/issue that, to you, doesn’t matter in the slightest. Being called an asshole means nothing to me. I figure I’ve earned that moniker at this point. I’ll ignore you.
We can’t all choose ignore and it’s not like pressing the snooze button, it’s never having an alarm in the first place.
Think about this the next time you face a decision. Any decision. Which will you go with? What will you take away from the conversation, if anything?
Accept, change or ignore. There is no other choice.
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