Oddbean

Very true. The first step is to recognize it when it’s happening. Various #meditation practices can assist by enhancing your awareness of what’s happening inside your mind, making it easier to see when unhelpful thoughts arise.

You’re right. When we get our mind tangled up in negative thoughts, we might need a way to take things less personally at times. Here’s an interesting word that I think helps us flow through life with less anxiety in and after our interactions with people: Sonder - The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it. Knowing that there’s an equally complicated life happening on the other side of side of every communication in life helps us to flow onward more peacefully. Just what came to mind. Have a great day!

It is immensely valuable to know how to tame that pestering negativity and how to know when to take it as a useful criticism or when to take it as just an idiot’s shallow opinion. It’s equally important to not surround yourself with “yes men” and take note of your critics, and also to not take the assholes too seriously. 🧐

Thanks for sharing, Jack. Multiple angles to explore and reflect. Reminds me of Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Also of what could happen when people are big and God is small. Psalm 118:4-8 Let those who fear the LORD say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

u forget about this : " 1 Judah’s sin is engraved with an iron pen. It’s etched with a diamond point on the tablets of their hearts and on the horns of their altars. 2 Their children remember their altars and sacred poles by the lush trees and high hills. 3 Because you have committed such sins throughout your country, I will give to your enemies my mountain in the land, as well as your wealth and all that you treasure. 4 You will lose the inheritance that I gave you. I will make you slaves of your enemies in a land you don’t know, for my anger blazes like a fire that won’t go out. 5 The LORD proclaims: Cursed are those who trust in mere humans, who depend on human strength and turn their hearts from the LORD. 6 They will be like a desert shrub that doesn’t know when relief comes. They will live in the parched places of the wilderness, in a barren land where no one survives. 7 Happy are those who trust in the LORD, who rely on the LORD. 8 They will be like trees planted by the streams, whose roots reach down to the water. They won’t fear drought when it comes; their leaves will remain green. They won’t be stressed in the time of drought or fail to bear fruit. ''