Not everyone needs to agree. This world is filled with so many choices and so many people with different preferences. How boring would it be if we all wanted and believed the same things?!
As the sayings go:
- To each his own.
- Different strokes for different folks.
- Whatever floats your boat.
- Live and let live.
It’s ok for us all to want and to believe different things. And the fact that we interact on a daily basis with people who have a variety of opinions allows us to more clearly understand our own preferences. Sometimes it’s tough to see how it could be possible, but we can co-exist and thrive alongside people who disagree with us.
How? My coworkers are crazy
It’s tough when you are in an environment where people don’t hold the same values and beliefs that you do. Whether it’s your coworkers, extended family, or even your immediate family, no matter how close to you that they are, you still have the ability to choose happiness.
It may feel like they have the power to affect your life, but that’s not totally true. It’s your response to them that matters most.
A big part of the “trick” is deciding that being happy is more important than being right.
Making health and fitness fun
Look at it this way, variety is the spice of life right? So, the sooner you can embrace that we all have our own way of doing things, the happier you will be.
Relationships are so valuable and such an important part of being truly happy.
Being right is overrated. This world is big enough for all of us. Instead of hanging onto anxiety or anger toward those that disagree with you, make peace with them (either verbally or in your head).
By being more accepting of people for who they are and honoring their sometimes diverse opinions, you release a lot of tension and resentment within yourself (as well as that pesky need for control). This also includes honoring those that may not be offering you the same respect.
Other people only have the power over you that you grant them, and really, the point in doing this is for you to be at peace. It really doesn’t matter whether they respect you or not.
Your inner peace and happiness is directly related to you health, and the sooner you can be ok with the fact that people will disagree with you, the better your life will be.
Do you agree or disagree? Share your opinions below!
Check out the entire Live Well 360 30-Day Challenge series.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This one can be a tough one, especially when you have very strong convictions. When I was younger, I was a total prisoner of other people’s opinions. I would let myself become miserable over what other people thought of me and how I lived. How liberating it was to finally learn that what other people think really doesn’t matter. It sometimes sounds callus but honestly, in the grand scheme of things, and even in the minutiae, it doesn’t matter! And in the life of others, what I think doesn’t matter, either. Yes, we want the people we care about to support us and our beliefs, but they don’t have to, and that’s okay. And if they do, then that’s okay, too. But the only thing we’re answerable to (besides the law) is our own conscious, and as long as we’re square with that, then we’re good.
Perception is so different and yes, liberating, when we switch over to “the grand scheme of things” isn’t it?! Haha!
It’s less about “being right” and more about not being dependent on other people’s opinions. If I know that I can get enough protein on a vegetarian diet, I can just tell the “but only meat has protein!” crowd to go away, preferably to a library with books where they might learn something.
We – people who exercise, eat right, live mindfully and maintain health – are freaks. We’re weirdos who eat gross food and do stuff that hurts. I personally think it’s something to be proud of, but it’s definitely unsettling when you first realize how few people live this lifestyle, and how common its opposite is.
Eventually, though, you kind of stop caring. People will always eat food guaranteed to give them heart attacks because they don’t care about the consequences, and some folks will always pretend to be some sort of skeptical nutrition expert when they find out I don’t eat meat. My strategy? If you cop an attitude, you’re cut. No need to waste my time around people who are only going to bring me down.
Glad to hear you are following your own guidance, Alexa. Rock on!