Allow other people to sharpen your character

Allow other people to sharpen your character

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While I generally come off as highly consistent and focused, I have many moments where I let the behavior of others get under my skin. But I do understand that they are bothering me for a reason, and that’s a good thing. If we only surround ourselves with what we consider perfect conditions or people who don’t stir anything in us, we never have the opportunity to dig deeper and grow. People who create disruption in our lives help us sharpen the version of ourselves that we enjoy and are proud of.

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For instance, when I come in contact with people who are not flexible about how they see a particular subject matter, instead of being annoyed with them, I thank them for being in my life as a reminder to embrace flexibility. Or if I’m in the presence of someone who judges or scrutinizes the lives and the decisions of others, it reminds me that I don’t have the answers for other people’s lives nor do I have insight into the work the creator is doing in their life. Or if I’m engaging with someone who doesn’t listen or have enough patience to allow others to respond, it reminds me of how important it is to listen, digest what other people say and show them that they are heard.

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In the past, my immediate reaction to people who did things I didn’t like was to get as far away from them as possible. But to continue on with that mindset would have led me to a life solitude and stagnation.

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Some people show us qualities that we want to possess, and others show us qualities we want to stay away from, but both types of people are necessary. Both types of people sharpen us. Now, I may spend less time with the latter, but I don’t avoid them like I used to.

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I am grateful for the reminders other people gift me every day. I’m not here to change their lives, their minds or what they do. That’s my job only for my life. We have a choice, let the behavior of others make us angry and judgemental or allow them to expose and expand who we are.

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Who can you be grateful for?

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Love,

Jameelah

www.JameelahRa’oof.com

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