57. Choose to ignore an insult

There is a Chinese proverb that says it is better to ignore an insult than to have to respond to one. There is such wisdom here.

Think of the troubles you could avoid and the stress you could eliminate if you made the decision to ignore a slight offense or a minor defamation, or an unintentional snub—or even an intentional one. Our reactions to the situations of our life are elective, and we get to do the electing.

The next time someone is flip with you, fail to notice it. It’s a choice. Or choose to laugh (#59). (But do this later, on your own.)

This is not to say you should become a rug and let everyone walk all over you. But you may well find as you continue along your path that it’s much more exhilarating to keep your head clear for contemplating the big picture, and not to sweat the little stuff.

Ignoring an insult is a very effective way to keep from getting bogged down in someone else’s negative energy, or even in your own.