Often we are at a loss how to react to a particular situation like when someone tries to put you down. At times like these, the weaker amongst us allow others and society in general to dictate our actions. This can lead to messy situations since we are responding to what others feel, not giving in to our own instinctive reaction! You may or may not feel insulted, but those around are eager to convince you of your humiliation ! " How could he have insulted you like that ! You must give it back to him!" Or, "Poor you, I can just imagine how you must be feeling. Don't worry, your time will come!" So much so that you are forced to stop smiling and start worrying about what exactly is wrong with you and how come you never noticed!
Before you let the reactionary rabble rousers take over, allow the Someone within you to take an unprejudiced, calmer and lighter look at the situation. Almost every situation can be turned on its head to be made to look shades better than what it seems at first sight. Not just look, but it can be made to act better for you as well. You can feel insulted or honored, hurt or pleased, happy or sad, as it suits you.
If you do not feel angry, who can ever manage to anger you? With control over the way you feel and react, you can manage the situation around you with incredible ease. And to hell with th e people imagine you should be reacting! Who out there really cares anyway? If queen Kaikeyi had followed her instinct and stayed happy at her stepson Ram's ascension to the throne, she would have chosen a life of happiness and splendor for herself. Instead she allowed her insecurities to be fed by her maid Manthara, insisted on her son Bharat being crowned king anf Ram being exiled; as a result she lost her husband Dashrath and ultimately died a lonely, broken-hearted woman with her son and daughter in law never forgiving her!
There are many Mantharas around, whose life's purpose is rabble-rousing, who go around feeding on others' misfortunes and exaggerating the same. Their position is dependent on those around them doing well or badly, and so they fire and fan emotions all around. Remember, once you let yourself be led by what they think you should be doing, these same people will also be the first to jump onto the other side and leave you alone.
The only intelligent way to react to any situation is to examine it for its positive aspects and make the most of them. What cannot be changed need not be just endured, it can be enjoyed too! Being forced to work extra? Discover the fun aspects of that work and make the most of it! Overlooked for promotion at office? Enjoy another year honing your skills without the added responsibility. Nobody can keep a good man down for long! Beloved walked out on you? Maybe there's someone better waiting for you round the next corner....start looking!
