If we depend on others' opinions of ourselves, we will be sacrificing a special gift available to all; the gift of self-acceptance. Wouldn't it be nice if we all focused on self-improvement instead of wasting time evaluating and judging others? It is up to me to figure out and work toward the best version of myself. Do I really want to give that privileged journey away to another person? My mother, friend, manager, or fellow parishioner?
A rude comment is only an insult if we let it be one. And who does the rude commenter actually insult? Themselves! The person who is rude, unmannerly, arrogant, insensitive, and judgmental is letting their own low emotional IQ hang out for all to see.
Maybe the best idea of how to respond to a rude comment is not to respond at all. Ignorant comments are not always worthy of notice, and silence can be powerful. The silence does not have to be pregnant with meaning, either. We can choose to switch the focus to something more interesting, pleasant or humorous. What really matters is learning to respect and have more confidence in our own path. No one can take this journey for us, even if they try to.
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