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 grow up with folks who believed in positive reinforcement. They encouraged my interests and were generous with praise and compliments. Their interpretation of the Golden Rule still resonates: “Be kind, respectful, and treat other people the way you want to be treated.”

Over the years I’ve learned that not everyone was raised by the same operating instructions. So I had to develop a thicker skin, especially when I was the target of nasty remarks or thoughtless behavior.

Sometimes constructive criticism is necessary and useful. And there are ways to disagree without trashing or vilifying our opponents. But why would you hang out with people who consistently undermine your confidence or belittle what you believe? As Adele reminds us, we need to cultivate self-respect and limit the time we spend with those who devalue us. ~CL