How to Unhook Yourself from Negativity
Sometimes there are people in life with whom you just don’t see eye-to-eye. Maybe they rub you the wrong way or, even worse, just don’t seem to like you and you can’t figure out why. Be mindful that the other person’s negativity may have nothing to do with you and what you can do to improve the relationship. No one likes to be in a negative situation, but you don’t always get along with everyone all the time.
However, if someone is being dismissive, fault-finding or disapproving and this is making you feel unworthy, insecure or lacking in self-esteem, then it may be because there’s a hook somewhere in you for that negativity to latch on too, a place where it can land that triggers all these hidden self-doubts.
How can you get unhooked? Rather than adding fire to fire by being equally as negative, there is another way.
When you extend kindness toward yourself as well as toward the person you are having a challenging time with, then an extraordinary thing begins to happen: The hook within you begins to dissolve. This means there is nowhere for the negativity to take hold or to land. By embracing yourself with kindness, you are strengthening and reinforcing feelings of self-empowerment, worthiness and personal value. Sending kindness to your adversary transforms he/she so that they are able to release the conflict. It also acts like a shield so any remaining negativity does not penetrate; it cannot land. You can learn how to do this with the loving kindness meditation, it just take time, effort and a willing spirit. Cheers!