Some religious perspectives include the notion that we have no right to get offended or angry. Such believers insist that "righteous anger" is a myth. I'm not sure I entirely agree with that. But, we humans are imperfect, and, our propensity for unhealthy thoughts often leads to stress, anger, and distrust. I, myself, struggle with intolerance—especially during these dark and uncertain times.
But, recently, I had lunch with a dear friend of mine who is a devout Christian. After sharing my exasperation at the craziness of this past election, she encouraged me to "claim the blessing of the unoffended." At first, I thought she was joking. But, then I realized the blessing she was referring to was really just our attitude. If I wanted to see good in the world, I had better learn to open my eyes to it.
And, on those occasions when I'm humble enough to let go of my anger, I find that I genuinely appreciate different perspectives—imagine that! Letting others have their own opinions frees me from the entanglement of judgment and negativity. When my attitude is generous and accepting, I feel less bogged down, and more joyful.
It can be hard to believe that something as simple as humility can produce the calm confidence we're all seeking right now. But, being "unoffended" allows us to really listen to others. And this is exactly what frees us from the knot of emotions in our own hearts.
The next time you feel your blood pressure rise at a news article, or a social media post, try looking deeper into that person's life. Try listening more closely to the anxieties they're expressing. You might be surprised at how calm, loving, and secure you feel.