Yeah Right!

There are challenges in life. And then there are CHALLENGES! In the area of personal growth, I find some of them to be quite absurd. Not to mention, just outright impossible.

Some time ago, the Denton Yogi reminded me of the most ridiculous, impossible suggestion in the history of ever. I hope to never read the book. But evidently, she had found it necessary to pick up the fine work of Don Miguel Ruiz entitled: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom. I had never heard of the book or its author. And I have no idea what the other three agreements are. But I do know that Agreement #2 gives me tired-head and actually makes me a little insane.

This Ruiz character actually has the audacity to opine in his second agreement, "Don't take anything personally."

Seemingly, I just got writer's block. I don't know what to say. I cannot find the words. And for those that know me, these instances are rare. I have written about all kinds of challenges and ideas. I have opinions (and sometimes even real experiences) galore about all my rantings and ravings in prior posts through the years.

Sadly, I have experiences and an opinion about this second agreement. And the hopeless reality about this is I am convinced that I just cannot do it. And I'm fairly certain that I'm not the Lone Ranger in this regard.

Most recently, I was reminded of my inability to let things go after making the very poor decision of bantering with famed reporter, Ashleigh Banfield on Twitter. I saw Ashleigh on Live PD (the greatest train wreck on TV) and asked why she wasn't wearing her glasses. She actually responded and said that she had undergone serious eye surgery and occasionally wore them during her one year recovery. I simply responded that was too bad because she always looked good in her glasses and that her various pair of glasses always seemed to be her bit (trademark).

Big mistake! Ashleigh never responded. And I truly think she wasn't offended. But some snowfl.....I mean some other Twitter user chewed me up one side and down the other for suggesting that Banfield's wearing of glasses was a bit. Even attacking me as she had noticed in my profile pic that I wore glasses!

I have stopped arguing with idiots. This girl's stupidity was even more than I could imagine. So, I didn't explain to her why I was right and she was ignorant. I simply apologized and assured her that I meant no disrespect to Banfield.

But it bugged me. The fact that I'm writing about it obviously means I haven't forgotten about it.

I wrote years back of living our lives based on outrage. Maybe, this post is a regurgitation of that.

But I know we all fall into this dilemma from time to time. At least I do. I take things personally. From the leaders of our world to the very people in my house, I take things personally. And it bugs me. It robs me of my serenity. It makes me the curmudgeon that so many of you think I am.

A few years ago, I was corresponding with a man in California who, for the most part, has become my sinsei.

I truly don't recall complaining about anything or anyone. But evidently, I was. He responded with one simple idea.

"Kevin, nothing is personal. They are not doing it to you. They are just doing what they do and you happen to be in the blast radius."

On occasion, I am able to remember that and go on about my day. But more times than not, I am only able to respond, "Yeah Right."