What will you tolerate?

“I have insecurities and flaws, of course, but I don’t hang out with anyone who points them out to me.” ~Adele

I was lucky to be raised by folks who believed in positive reinforcement. They encouraged my interests and were generous with praise and compliments. And while my mother wasn’t particularly religious, her interpretation of the Golden Rule still resonates: “Treat other people the way you want to be treated.” She and my dad walked their talk — and I learned from their example.

As a kid, I soon learned that not everyone was given the same operating instructions. I had to develop a thicker skin — especially when I was the target of rude, insensitive, or otherwise unkind remarks. Or when someone gave me the cold shoulder instead of a warm embrace.

All said and done, there are times when receiving constructive criticism is helpful, but hanging out with people who consistently undermine your confidence is not. As Adele reminds us, we all need to cultivate self-respect — and limit the time we spend with folks who make us feel bad about ourselves. ~CL