WHO are the people in your life who make their presence felt even when they don’t need anything? They mean it when they ask how you are doing. They find ways to brighten your day, and they can hear you even when you don’t say a word. They want to make you happy, safe and comfortable. They help nourish your soul. Keep these people.
There are some individuals who make a lot of demands and are angry when you are not able to accommodate them. They make their presence felt only when they need something. They are always after what they can get from associating with you. They always have a ready excuse when you need them. There is no healthy give and take. It’s easy for them to detach when you are no longer beneficial to them because they were never truly emotionally attached. They cannot form genuine and mutually supportive relationships. Let go of them.
There are also people who watch your every move as if you were a movie star, but instead of expressing admiration, they seem to resent everything about you. They are quick to downplay your achievements. They say negative things about you and question your motive. They find opportunities to annoy you, too. They are toxic and insecure people. Ignore them!
Don’t be too sensitive. “Everything you do and think either adds to the vitality, energy and spirit you possess or takes away from it” (Ann Wigmore). Know the people who are worth-keeping, as well as the ones you need to let go and ignore.
Take this from Og Mandino: “Never allow anyone to rain on your parade and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on the entire day. Remember that no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character, are required to set up in the fault-finding business. Nothing external can have any power over you unless you permit it.”
