Daily Gratitude: How often do we spend lots of time and energy trying to figure out what’s going on with other people? Then ask how often we spend the same time and energy getting to know ourselves?

Why do we ignore that exploration? What is is we’re afraid to see?

We can’t really understand others until we know ourselves better. How we react to certain people and things? Once you know that, you can see how others’ reactions may mirror their past more than they mirror what’s going on right now in their life.

Wouldn’t that help you deal with the other person better? Or at least not overreact yourself if something seems out of line.

People hear what you say based not on what you meant to say, or what is going on in YOUR universe. They hear the words and interpret them based on their experience and what’s going on in THEIR life.

That’s why you may get weird responses to statements you make or questions you ask. So stop scratching your head and see if you can ascertain what’s happening or has happened.

If you understand what’s inside of you, it should help you not overreact to others. You can have confidence and become a better listener. First you have to listen to yourself. That’s why journaling is so valuable. You can have conversations with yourself and your emotions and try to figure things out on paper. No one else needs to know. But you can examine your life and see if this is a pattern in your past.

Study yourself in order to understand others.