My Truth Today 2/2/10 - How to "Take the High Road"

Today
Conflict...we all run into it, have to face it, and... have to deal with it.  Apparently, there is no limit to where you can find it, or, it can find you. 

So, how do we find the willingness to take a higher path when someone has pushed our buttons, stepped on our toes, offended our sensabilities, crowded in line, cut us off in traffic or said something incredibly rude?

How do you find a way to express love instead of anger or sarcasm to resolve what seems to be a difficult situation? It isn’t easy to reach such readiness to yield, but here are some ideas that might be beneficial...

Take a moment.  Actually, give yourself time to collect your thoughts and determine HOW you want to respond.  Take a deep breath, several if needed.  Center yourself.  There is no law that says you have to make a quick verbal comeback.  Command your mental space.  I am not talking about not standing up for yourself, I am talking about choosing a response rather than letting a knee-jerk reaction define you.

While you are "centering" or finding your zen place, think about a couple of things...

• Find a way to respond that won't escalate the situation.  Rather than, "You punk, I am next in line, " you might say, "You like the chocolate brownies, too?  We are all waiting in line," then gesture to the end of the line. 
• What about the person/friend who says, "You look tired or asks if you have gained weight?  I can't believe that people have that kind of the chutzpah, but they do.  Your centered response..."Actually, I am feeling so full of energy since I started walking," or, look them in the eye and laughingly say, "Gosh, it seems like we both could use a fitness program." (This last one isn't strictly the highest road, but it allows you to stand up for yourself without an angry response).
• Take a breath.  Consider who it is that is doing or saying something that upsets you. If you can take a look from his/her perspective, it might help.  Who knows what is going on in his/her life.  You can choose to find compassion and respond with kindess.  I think it is called grace.

Finally, don't allow the unpleasant incident, whatever it was, to ruin your day.  Ask yourself if you will even remember it in two months?  Most likely, you won't.  Nothing says you lose anything if you...don't have to be "right"... smile and walk away... or simply yield.  It is the high road and builds inner strength when we travel on it.

   
Mark Twain said..."Always do right - this will gratify some and astonish the rest."

Thank you to Rice Agency and Associates

for the use of today's beautiful photo.