Are You Easily Offended?
A reflection on why we respond badly
I must admit that I can be easily offended. I sometimes take offence when somebody expresses a strong opinion different from mine.
But why do I behave in that manner?
Different people react very differently to words from others. Certain words may not trigger my reaction, but you may respond negatively. That’s why people sometimes lose their temper when they hear certain words.
Do you have such an experience?
I often have and reflected on seeing if I can get over it once and for all. I knew it was not easy to do so.
Here are some methods; see if you can follow them:
1. Practice empathy
You must see things from other people’s perspectives. Once you know why specific issues affect them more than yourself, you will begin to go slow to give feedback.
Instead, you will speak with a tone of understanding.
2. Don’t make assumptions
Sometimes our assumptions need to be corrected; hence we make a wrong judgement.
For example, you may be rushing someone to complete an assignment, but you need to realise that they have done their best, and another limitation causes delays.
3. Focus on the positive
Sometimes, people do make a mistake in the past. But subsequently, they have been meticulous in trying to serve you.
But because you have lost faith in that person, no matter what they try to say to you, you bear a grudge against them.
4. Apply some humour to the situation
Sometimes, we diffuse tense situations if we can take things in our stride with humour. We will hold grudges if we are unforgiving, and a wall of defence will be the barrier to better communication.
5. Be humble
Sometimes, people do not mean what they want to say. However, due to their lack of tact with words, they say something inappropriate, and we react to it.
Try to understand that only some people are good with words. Sometimes, a wrong word is used, and we may be upset.
Hence, we must try to overlook such imperfections.
Final thoughts
So we can behave better and be less reactive if we show kindness to others. They may not be correct, but anger does not solve any problem either.
So be less reactive and slow to pass judgement. In doing so, we will improve our character.
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