Be mindful: not everyone gets it – your life, your path – it’s yours. Not everyone sees your vision or wants to take the time to understand – they are caught up on their version of you whether present or outdated and want to force you into their dream – it’s not your reality. Not everyone stays on the journey, on this path with you-not everyone was meant to. It’s difficult for some people to accept when a person is truly committed to their path in life. Other people’s opinions aren’t your concern, be it bad or good. Keep going and being mindful of what feeds your soul, goodness and personal growth – in silence.

In a passage from one of my favorite books “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz, he writes “As you make a habit of not taking anything personally, you won’t need to place your trust in what other’s do or say and will avoid needless suffering. You will only need to trust yourself to make responsible choices. You are never responsible for the actions of others, you are only responsible for you….nothing they think about me is really about me – it’s about them.” This really resonates because for so long there are those who have created a false trope of anger, bitterness, grudges – when there is none, it’s gaslighting and narcissistic. That is their poison and emotional baggage being peddled as someone else’s. Be mindful.

In this internet age, people want reactions and drama, be mindful – it is not about you, it’s about them whoever is feeding the flames so to speak. When you are at peace, no explanation is needed. Be at peace without fanfare or need for attention and public spectacle. As I’ve gotten older, I continue to get better at this because I realize people will always come with their own beliefs and biases, emotional poison and baggage. I remind myself to be mindful of my own personal inner-peace, that is self-care. Boundaries are a form of self-care. No public spectacles required to prove anything in a continued personal evolution in each stage of life on this journey. Let whoever, think whatever – it’s about them, not you. Be mindful.

For the record, and to people who continue to peddle this false notion of imaginary grudges and non-existent beefs..I have forgiven people for all sorts of transgressions against me – including my former colleagues from decades ago. Forgiven in silence and I continue to move on. One can still set boundaries to those people you have no interest in working with or dealing with again. It’s called self-care. Also for the record, I have never desired, wished for or thought about apologies. I will say that it’s disingenuous at best to craft one for social media purposes, clicks, comments and likes only.

I want to share this, which was sent to me by a dear friend and colleagues of mine Bill Coleman from Peace Bisquit yesterday and I think it’s so profound :

This is true and happened many times to various people in my life along the way – just in the course of living life, no public announcements required, no need to prove anything to anyone when and where the forgiveness occurred especially when it’s decades ago, or in whatever present tense it may be – and no matter how many times I’ve been excoriated by others. Should you cross paths wit these types of people no longer on your journey – be cordial in the irrelevance of that person or persons. They have been released and don’t take up mental or emotional space. Be mindful. It’s like when you pray or meditate, or go through any healing – it’s a personal action – you release it and move on. Be wary of those manipulative ‘gaslighters – it’s not about you, it’s about them feeling threatened, wanting people to believe and support their version of events and a need to feel a sense of power and control. Be mindful, wish them well and keep moving in silence, no explanation required. Remember the opinions of others is not your concern. Be mindful.

Wattage! – Jody Watley

Carry on. Live your life and be happy!