It's Not You, It's Me

I stopped blaming other people for the way I feel by realizing the problem isn't frustrating situations or annoying people, the problem was that I kept getting frustrated and annoyed. It's not you.. it's me.

Transcript

Have you ever noticed that some of the things you consider irritating are pleasant to other people?

Hot weather,

Classical music,

Laughing children,

Long drives,

Thunderstorms,

Gardening,

Data entry,

And so on.

Someone is looking forward to what you regularly try to avoid.

When I get annoyed by someone blasting their car stereo in a residential neighborhood,

I remind myself that I used to do the same thing when I was younger.

And when cigarette smoke disgusts me,

I recall my own Marlboro days until my judgy-wudgy attitude dissolves.

It's important to keep ourselves in check so that we don't start thinking our way of being is somehow superior.

You will only be surrounded by annoying people and frustrating situations until you learn not to get annoyed or frustrated.

We need to stop blaming outside forces for our own lack of internal peace.

It's not about getting everyone to live in line with what we think is right,

It's about staying peaceful regardless of what's going on.

Personal responsibility is not just accountability for the way our lives have turned out so far,

But also for the perspective with which we continue viewing the world today.

We need to stop expecting perfection from others as if we can possibly offer it in return.

Consider the likelihood that the wind chime you think is peaceful in your garden is perceived as inconsiderate and presumptuous by a neighbor who hates the sound.

Your idea of normal is ridiculously absurd to someone else,

And never assume that you are any less irritating than the people you try to avoid.

If I get aggravated by something you do,

It's not your fault that I haven't learned how to not get annoyed.

You are actually my greatest teacher,

And from the moment I start looking at you from that perspective,

All I want to do is thank you,

Not kick you in the teeth.

It's not you,

It's me.

Reviews

Whoa you have taught me something simple yet most profound. Thank goodness it’ll work my boyfriend too who like to be right like all the time. lol

Excellent talk! Such a shift in perspective. How much easier it would be to change myself rather than hoping the world will change to please my mind.

Wow. This was surprisingly helpful for such a short meditation. I appreciated the idea that something I do can be as irritating the things that someone else is doing is irritating to me. Not sure if I am saying that correctly. But anyway thank you for offering this meditation.

Very true, and what we cannot accept is often our shadow. Thank you for the insightful reminder. 🙏🙏

Yes!!! Love this! My “judgie-wudgie” attitude sneaks up on me - I have to stay mindful. It’s not them, it’s me! I’m Still practicing letting go of my way, and letting the relief come in!! Thank you for this short perfect talk on a day when I can see that I am being “judgie-wudgie” - love this softened term (beating myself doesn’t make things better). Thank you very much.

Perfectly put!

Now that’s good ! Straight talk and a little laughter thanks

Love it! Thanks for the huge wake up call!

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud! This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I love your viewpoint on things. BTW Buddhist Bootcamp is amazing. 🙏😊🙏

So true! 🙏 💙

Interesting

Love it, even if you don’t. This was great!

Excellent I will listen to this again.

Thank you for this healthy grateful fresh perspective today

Namaste my friend have a beautiful day

Ah I chuckled at the end of this! Jus a whole two minutes of goodness! 😊 Thanks

So true! Thank you for this clear message. This message will bring me to smile each time I am annoyed with anyone.

Nailed it once again, Timber. I appreciate your skill in distilling a big idea into simple points that can be more easily absorbed into my consciousness. You never ramble and you use just the right words. Thank you.

Life simplified, great lessons Timber.

Right on!

Wish my sister-in-law would listen to this, but she think she’s above all this