Daily Question, July 16 How might knowing that everyone is facing some kind of battle impact how I respond to people? 46 Reflections Share Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Notify me when someone replies to my comment via e-mail. MHS11 months agoMHSIt will make me pause and have more empathy towards people. 2 Reply Shan11 months agoShanYou are going through these difficulties which you may want to share and get some further I sight. 3 Reply dcdeb11 months agodcdebIt makes me feel like i have less of a persecution complex. 6 Reply sb11 months agosbI always try to remember that if the other person seems aggressive, unfriendly, thoughtless, angry, unhappy, unresponsive.. it may well be down to their personal battles and nothing personal. So I do try not to react in anger. I definitely don’t always succeed, especially when I am tired, but I try and this question is a good prompt to encourage me to try harder and be ever careful in my responses 7 Reply Don Jones11 months agoDon JonesIf I substitute the word, “battle” for “challenge”, then empathy and kindness comes to the fore. Life isn’t a battle – winners and losers, scheming and strategizing, gaining the upper ground… I hung my battle gear up a long time ago. 10 Reply Palm11 months agoPalmThank you Don, hanging the battle gear is a peaceful and helpful thought 4 Reply Maeve11 months agoMaeveJust to remember it is a good idea. I always find it helpful to know when someone is struggling, and when someone takes the risk to make themselves vulnerable in sharing what they are struggling with. In some situations in my daily life it is easier for me to respond with kindness, especially with children and young people. In other situations it is harder to respond with kindness. Oh my goodness, yes! I have my own needs for kindness and consideration, as well. If I am frustrated w...Just to remember it is a good idea. I always find it helpful to know when someone is struggling, and when someone takes the risk to make themselves vulnerable in sharing what they are struggling with. In some situations in my daily life it is easier for me to respond with kindness, especially with children and young people. In other situations it is harder to respond with kindness. Oh my goodness, yes! I have my own needs for kindness and consideration, as well. If I am frustrated with the drama and chaos around me, I have to take care of myself. Even if I know that they are facing their own battle or struggle, I find that I do not always have the resources within to respond with cheerfulness and care. So I end up closing myself off so as not to get overwhelmed. Read More5 Reply Lauryn11 months agoLaurynI’ve been thinking the past day about how to become more attuned to the energy of others, as well as my own. I think it’s about learning to let down some of our own defenses. Putting less focus on ourselves. Finding peace in the fact that we are all different…responding to others as opposed to reacting. 8 Reply Nelson11 months agoNelsonThis question has good timing. Since it’s the end of the week, my body feels exhausted from the past few days’ workload. I’ve also been feeling less patient with people. My default response is to snap, yell, belittle, be right – something of a low vibration as Esther Hicks would describe. So yes, I can be more patient, but I think being more empathetic and present to the reason why a person behaves they way they do is a powerful context. They could be physically exhausted too. Maybe some...This question has good timing. Since it’s the end of the week, my body feels exhausted from the past few days’ workload. I’ve also been feeling less patient with people. My default response is to snap, yell, belittle, be right – something of a low vibration as Esther Hicks would describe. So yes, I can be more patient, but I think being more empathetic and present to the reason why a person behaves they way they do is a powerful context. They could be physically exhausted too. Maybe something’s going on at home. Maybe they’re financially struggling, etc. They may be going through something I can certainly identify with. So don’t take it personal. If I were in their shoes, I’d appreciate someone being understanding and patient with me too. Read More9 Reply Mica11 months agoMicaThank you, Nelson – I’ll try to do the same 5 Reply Neil11 months agoNeilThe Tibetan Tonglen meditation practice of “sending and receiving” Is one of the most simple and powerful practices to connect with others pain and hardship. There is no other we are all one. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonglen Tonglen on the Spot 6 Reply Mary Pat11 months agoMary PatYes, and it is so good! 2 Reply Howie Geib11 months agoHowie GeibNeil… Love Tonglen…it was a daily practice during my time as a solitary…very very powerful…thanks for allowing it to spring foreground in my memory…will practice today on the road… 4 Reply SK11 months agoSKYes, everyone has a “back-story” that is waiting to be told but more than that, waiting to be listened to. If we all could only quiet our own silence to a point of total respect and awareness of the “other”. Place our hands over our own hearts to listen to our own heart beat and then realize it is the same for everyone.. I need to be the “listening post.”. 7 Reply Mary Pat11 months agoMary PatWhat popped into my head right away was to be kind in my responses to others. And then I thought about my neighbor, who is a constant thorn in my side...she is an unhappy person, and regularly finds fault with me, because I did not give her the attention she deserves at a particular time in her life.. This one is really hard for me....she lives right next door, we used to be good friends, and there are days where she will not speak to me. Or will send me critical emails....Her focus is always ...What popped into my head right away was to be kind in my responses to others. And then I thought about my neighbor, who is a constant thorn in my side…she is an unhappy person, and regularly finds fault with me, because I did not give her the attention she deserves at a particular time in her life.. This one is really hard for me….she lives right next door, we used to be good friends, and there are days where she will not speak to me. Or will send me critical emails….Her focus is always what needs to be “right”, even in the neighborhood…what trees need to be trimmed correctly, what the grass should look like, who needs to work on their front porches or homes I mean, it is unattainable. She is very unhappy. I don’t think it is my job or responsibility to find out why, or fix it. I do think her battle is within her, and I either remind her of someone in her past, or am just a good target. I can’t do anything about that, but what I can do is respond to her in a kind, but firm, manner. And the question today will help me go forward with my day in a better frame of mind, and with kindness. Thank you! Read More10 Reply Mica11 months agoMica“will send me critical emails” – what a bummer, dear Mary Pat! Give yourself a big hug 🤗 4 Reply Holly in Ohio11 months agoHolly in OhioLol. I think almost everyone has one neighbor like that. I’m glad you can put it behind and go forward with your day now. 🙂 5 Reply Katrina11 months agoKatrinaErr on the side of grace. 8 Reply Michele11 months agoMicheleGood one! 2 Reply Patricia11 months agoPatriciaI admit it is hard to understand the battles some people are facing when they take it out on me as (essentially) a bystander to whatever drama is going on in their lives. I am torn between upset, compassion and wondering why the heck they are jerks. The best I can do sometimes is to just remove myself from their presence without reacting with anger or judgment.... and then calm myself down when I'm safely away from them. (I had an incident like this the other day in a public parking lot whi...I admit it is hard to understand the battles some people are facing when they take it out on me as (essentially) a bystander to whatever drama is going on in their lives. I am torn between upset, compassion and wondering why the heck they are jerks. The best I can do sometimes is to just remove myself from their presence without reacting with anger or judgment…. and then calm myself down when I’m safely away from them. (I had an incident like this the other day in a public parking lot which upset me greatly. I have prayed for peace for this man (a stranger to me) for whatever is going on in his life – and I worry for the people who may live with him…) Read More10 Reply Holly in Ohio11 months agoHolly in OhioOh… sorry you had that happen, Patricia. (((hugs))) 4 Reply Mica11 months agoMicaWhat cute hugs, Holly – {{{hugs}}} to you and Patricia, too 4 Reply DeVonna11 months agoDeVonnaIt’s true, everyone has demons that oppose them. I like to be open-minded and tolerant. I too am fighting demons and because of that I’m not always what I’d like to be. The best I can do is offer forgiveness, both to those who trouble me and to myself for when I come short. 6 Reply Christine11 months agoChristineDevonna and others, may I ask a question? Is todays question about demons? I think I misunderstood again. I thought a battle can also be an inner pain. Or is inner pain a demon? 5 Reply Holly in Ohio11 months agoHolly in OhioSpeaking only for myself, I don’t think all battles are demons. Someone’s battle might be with say, poverty, or poor health, injustice, or grief, but it might also be with addiction, recovery from trauma and the anger or self-destruction that often comes with that, or their battle may be with some other internal struggle. Battle might be a fair enough word to include any struggle. What do you think, Christine? 5 Reply Christine11 months agoChristineThank you so much, Holly. This is very helpfull. English is such a rich language. Now I know what is ment by the question. And my english a bit improved 😉. Thank you for taking the time to take care of me 😍 and a here id a Dutch 🌷 tulip for you. 6 Reply Holly in Ohio11 months agoHolly in OhioYour English is so good, Christine, that I often forget it is not your first language. I think you have a wonderful grasp of its subtleties. Thank you so much for the tulip! :) People rarely plant them here anymore because the white tailed deer love to eat them so much and it entices them into our yards to eat first the tulips and then little trees and our vegetables! The deer are frequent pests here (I saw one on my street just yesterday), but I think I will try growing tulips anyway beca...Your English is so good, Christine, that I often forget it is not your first language. I think you have a wonderful grasp of its subtleties. Thank you so much for the tulip! 🙂 People rarely plant them here anymore because the white tailed deer love to eat them so much and it entices them into our yards to eat first the tulips and then little trees and our vegetables! The deer are frequent pests here (I saw one on my street just yesterday), but I think I will try growing tulips anyway because they are so pretty! 😀 Read More3 Reply Mica11 months agoMicaAre you Dutch, Christine? My last name is from Friesland, and my children carry it in their 🧬 genes. 5 Reply Pilgrim11 months agoPilgrimI try to keep to the path of kindness, compassion and generosity of spirit. Am I perfect at this? No. But I have become better over the years, due to my own imperfections and life experiences, including those in which I really needed this response and respect. … So many thoughtful responses here already Thank you, my friends! 7 Reply sunnypatti11 months agosunnypattiI have definitely thought about this before, and I always try to respond with patience, love, and kindness. Compassion and prayer go a long way, and advice or help only when asked for. 6 Reply Holly in Ohio11 months agoHolly in OhioOne of my parents was very critical and judgmental, and I find it is now a part of my own shadow. I struggle to keep judgment in check around others who flounder over time. At least the "you coulds" in my head are out of a sincere desire that people have fewer struggles and more ease, I don't voice these thoughts (I hope) but I would like for my head to rest. I try to always just be kind, supportive, and not judge how others are choosing to wage their battles, and I hope my own struggle with jud...One of my parents was very critical and judgmental, and I find it is now a part of my own shadow. I struggle to keep judgment in check around others who flounder over time. At least the “you coulds” in my head are out of a sincere desire that people have fewer struggles and more ease, I don’t voice these thoughts (I hope) but I would like for my head to rest. I try to always just be kind, supportive, and not judge how others are choosing to wage their battles, and I hope my own struggle with judgment does not show, because judgment is not really any reflection on them. “Everyone is facing some kind of battle,” yes, but also, everyone is doing their best. Read More7 Reply Anjani11 months agoAnjaniYeah, its a hard time ! Its hard to process what’s happening these days. Everyone has a different substantial crisis going on and responding to this is not easy at all. These situations keep passing through us all we could is support them during these times instead of giving them misbeliefs , we have care for them and keep them positive and stay positive too. 6 Reply Holly in Ohio11 months agoHolly in Ohio“we have care for them and keep them positive and stay positive too..” Quite right. I will try to hold this thought today. Thanks! 6 Reply Anjani11 months agoAnjaniAm overwhelmed you liked it. Thank you 3 Reply GratefulOne11 months agoGratefulOneWhen you remember that each person is facing their own battle, it makes you kinder. It also just allows the compassion to overflow out of your heart for them. Not easy to remember but you have to take a breath and put yourselves in others shoes. I believe it is good for yourself and for others 8 Reply Christine11 months agoChristineCaring, kindness and give time. I always notice, when someone by this daily question writes with a tear, or pain in the message, you dear friends overhere give answers with care, kindness, and you take time to respond so lovely. You also warmed me with your responds. I hope I can pass it on. 10 Reply Michele11 months agoMicheleI agree with you Christine. I adore how uplifting everyone is to each other on this site. 3 Reply 1 2 Next » My Private Gratitude Journal Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal Get Started This site is brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are fully tax deductible in the U.S.A. DONATE https://gratefulness.org/content/uploads/2015/03/GX-Gold-Participant-L.png Community Engagement Guidelines Privacy Policy [email protected] Connect with us on Social Media: © 2000 - 2022, A Network for Grateful Living Website by Briteweb
