“Why can’t we all just get along?”
If we each had a nickel for every time we’ve asked or heard this question, no doubt we’d all have much healthier bank accounts!
Flippancy aside, if you really want to know the answer to this question, look at your reactions when you encounter people and events that make you ask it. What are your emotions? What are your physical responses? Because I’m willing to bet that at the heart of those reactions is fear.
Yes, I said fear.
Fear of the unknown, of something “different,” of failing to measure up, or not being accepted. Fear, in all its many insidious forms.
What can you do to conquer your fear?
The biggest thing you can do is recognize what’s prompting your “fear” reaction and take steps to change it. How you choose to do this is completely up to you. The methods are many, and vary as widely (and wildly) as the outfits people wear every day. Whichever method you choose, face your fear long enough to break down the knee-jerk response into something more rational and considered.
In a legitimate threat situation, that knee-jerk response is often what’s needed. We want our fight-or-flight instincts to come to our rescue! But for other things like bullying and prejudice, to name just two, take some time to really think about why you’re reacting the way you are. Face it. Dissect it. Own up to it. Then change it.
Photo credit: pantslady