We are responsible for our effect on others, but it is their responsibility on how they deal with it. My boss from many years ago had a saying: “Keep your side of the street clean.” It made a lot of sense to me. As long as I was responsible for my actions, my emotions and my effect on others, I was doing well. Yet not everyone has the same philosophy.
Many times, people’s behavior can cause us angst and in turn destroy our inner peace. It can be someone spewing their emotional garbage on us, treating us poorly or just being inconsiderate. Yet, if we take responsibility for how we deal with it, we can keep our inner peace.
When we allow others to destroy our peace, we are giving them power over our lives. In fact, we are giving up our right to how we feel and show up in the world. It is when we stay true to who we are and not allow other people’s “trash” to litter our side of the street, that we control our reality.
