I worked with somebody who once told me:
“Nobody wakes up with the thought: how can I make Kouris’ life more difficult?”
It is one of the most grounding thoughts I have heard till now. It helps me reframe my perspective on certain people I encounter. Hold that thought for a moment and consider another one:
“Everybody is fighting a battle you do not know of.”
Over the years, I have found this to be true. I probably have friends fighting a battle I don’t know of. It could be a health battle, a regret, a work or home worry or something else. If somebody perceives something being a battle, it is valid. The feelings one has are always valid, and the battle they are in is real, no matter how somebody else perceives it.
Perhaps you have a co-worker, an acquaintance, or a friend who finds ways to make your life difficult. Now consider that this person is acting that way because they are fighting a battle you don’t know of and might never know of. If you have enough headspace and care about them, perhaps try to approach them to find out; if not, then you can find peace in the thought that how they react has nothing to do with you but everything to do with them.
One benefit of grounding yourself with these two thoughts is that you will be a more pleasant human being for others, even those you perceive as difficult.
