A young student once asked a wise monk:
“Master, how do I stop taking everything so personally?” The monk smiled and said:
“To stop taking things personally, you must learn what actually belongs to you, and what never did. Most of what people say or do is a reflection of their own inner weather, not a judgment of your worth. When a storm passes overhead, you do not ask ‘What did I do wrong?’ you simply let it pass. In the same way, another person’s moods, words, or reactions are often storms that were brewing long before you arrived. Your peace isn’t threatened unless you hand it over. Taking things personally comes from believing you must control how others think, feel, or receive you. But remember, you are not responsible for managing the emotions that live inside someone else’s mind. The moment you stop trying to be understood by everyone, you reclaim your freedom. Respond from clarity, not from old wounds. Be curious, not defensive. Be grounded, not reactive. When your heart is steady, even harsh words lose their power. Do not let someone else’s chaos decide the temperature of your inner world. Protect your peace. You are allowed to walk away from anything that tries to pull you into a battle that isn’t yours.”
“And when in doubt,” the monk said, “repeat this truth: ‘Nothing others do is because of me. Everything they do is because of them.’”