Being Easily Offended

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
If you find yourself easily and often offended by people, Rabbi Shmuley says it's probably because you're focusing too much on your own "woundedness" than you are on what is truly wrong or right. "Think about the reason you're reacting so emotionally before you express that emotion to others," he says. "Often, the feeling of being offended rises from having an inner brokenness that's already there."
Rabbi Shmuley shares his advice on how to confront a problem without becoming overly sensitive:
  • Control your emotions and don't think you're being targeted.
  • Learn to express yourself nicely and explain why something that was said was hurtful to you.
  • Try to stay away from saying "that offended me" because it immediately puts the other person on the defense.
Today's Shmuleyism:
"America is cultivating a 'culture of offense,' whereby as groups and individuals, we look to be offended. Yet, we should not be victims, and we shouldn't allow others to wound us. If someone insults or hurts us, we should focus on the 'hurt,' and not on the 'wound.'"

 

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