“There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take nothing personally.” ~Miguel Ruiz
Many years ago during my journey of recovery from addiction, I had an epiphany and it came in a thought which went something like this; “if I am working a solid recovery program grounded in my spiritual beliefs I should never be able to be offended, being offended is a choice.”
Us alcoholics and addicts are a sensitive group and tend to take things very personally. Serenity is a key to our sobriety and when we let another person, place or thing offend us, we give our serenity away.
I have found my ability to not be offended directly proportionate to my faith walk. The stronger my faith walk the less my chances of being offended. The stronger my faith walk, the less life is all about me. Can any of you relate?
I can’t say I don’t have moments where I am disappointed but being disappointed in someone’s actions is keeping separation between them and me. When I’m offended, I’ve given them head space and I’m more likely to feel the need to protect myself by “giving them a piece of my mind” and with it I give my serenity away and usually create the need for a future amends, which I really never enjoy doing.
I learned a long time ago, If I’m not the problem, there is no solution.
If you struggle with taking things personally I suggest you read Miguel Ruiz’s book The Four Agreements. It is a little book that will bless you with tons of nuggets for growth. Don’t take anything personally is the Second Agreement.
This random thought came to me as I spent 24 hours in bed last week with a bad case of the intestinal flu. I made a mistake and watched a couple of hours of the news. Our country has turned into one super-sensitive, easily offended, puffball.
When you are concerned about offending certain groups of people by using a camel in a commercial on hump day or an Indian for the video of YMCA…Houston we have a problem. There are people starving, young girls being stolen for sex trade and addicts dropping dead of heroin overdoses every minute.  I have to think the devil loves it when we allow ourselves to be so sensitive to trivial things that we take our eye off of the bigger more important issues.
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Keep the camel in hump day and the Indian in The Village People and do something about hunger, addiction and slave trade. Who knows maybe that would offend the devil but better yet,  I know it would please God.
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
Matthew 22:38, “Jesus replied” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all our soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.’ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”Â
