08/19/2025
Life is not always kind. People may disappoint you, hurt you with their words, or try to provoke you. Situations may arise that feel unfair, heavy, or beyond your control. But here lies a timeless truth: neither people nor situations have any real power over you — until you give them power through your reaction.
The Buddha illustrated this truth beautifully with a story:
One day, a man approached the Buddha, filled with anger. He insulted him, shouted at him, and tried to provoke him. But the Buddha remained calm, his face serene like a still lake. After exhausting himself, the man finally asked, “Why do you not respond to me? Don’t you hear my insults?”
The Buddha replied gently:
"If someone brings you a gift, and you choose not to accept it, to whom does the gift belong? The same is true with your anger. If I do not accept your words, the anger remains with you, not me."
This is the essence of wisdom: what others say or do belongs to them — not to you, unless you choose to carry it.
✨ Now think of your own life…
At work, maybe a colleague makes a sarcastic comment about you. If you let it sit in your heart, it ruins your day. But if you smile, let it pass, and move forward — the power stays with you, not them.
In family life, maybe an argument brews over small things. If you get dragged into anger, peace is lost. But if you respond with patience or silence, the fire burns out quickly.
On social media, people may judge you, criticize you, or misunderstand you. If you start fighting back, negativity multiplies. But if you refuse to absorb their energy, you stay free.
🌸 When someone insults you, remember — their words reveal their heart, not your worth.
🌸 When situations turn against you, remind yourself — this is temporary, but your peace can be permanent.
🌸 When life tests you, choose stillness over chaos, silence over anger, and wisdom over reaction.
True strength is not in fighting back but in rising above. True peace is not in controlling the world but in controlling how you respond to it.
💭 So the next time someone tries to drag you into their storm, remain the calm center of your own sky. Your silence, your peace, your refusal to react — that is your greatest victory.
