Time and time again I have seen the destruction that listening to other people causes. It quickly becomes a never ending circle of mistrust and lies. The sad part is that usually by the time things really get bad the parties that started it are long gone and out of the picture; however, their influence is still strong. Unless, someone is very strong and can not only resist listening to such things but have the ability to let it all go and move forward this can have dramatic results with all of your relationships. The tendency to listen and contribute to gossip is strong and it is difficult to not let the things that you hear influence how you judge people.

I try to only judge people on my personal interactions with them. Sometimes I am able to, and other times it is much more difficult. And you have to consider what someone has been told that may have lead that person to say or react to you in that way, do you judge them for that interaction or do you judge them strictly based upon what they have said no matter the cause. That is were things get very difficult, and having the ability to let it go and not talk of things in the past is very helpful and truly the only way to resume a friendship. Hurts never truly heal and complete trust is hard to recover, it takes an effort from all parties to more forward. Without the involvement of all parties, it is best just to let the friendship go, or you risk continually putting yourself in more difficult situations.

The need to defend oneself or of a friend is strong in some people. This is an instinct that one needs to continually work to suppress if one is going to survive in such an environment. There is also the need to build a thick skin and develop a live and let live attitude. These people only have the power that we give them over us. So simply don’t let them. And if necessary, just leave.

I know that it sounds as though you are giving up on something or place; however, if it means that you are not part of the equation it might make it so that there is less stress and turmoil in your life. And if a place has been taken over by difficult and stressful people, wouldn’t your quality of life be improved by letting that place go? I think so, and that is one of the things that I plan to do. There is no need for me to stand my ground and fight for something that in the great scheme of things doesn’t really matter.

Why focus on people who have no real direct impact upon my life when I can focus my love and devotion on the ones that do? Instead of lashing out because of trivial matters, I can focus on the growth and happiness of my children, and always without question I can and will focus on my Master. It is only His opinion that truly matters anyway. So it is much healthier to give way and still remain safe and secure within my Master’s care. Now that is the important thing in life. Now if I can manage the grace to do as I have written all will be well.