\u201cDo away with the opinion I am harmed, and the harm is cast away too. Do away with being harmed, and harm disappears.\u201d
\n\u2014MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 4.7
\nA word can have multiple meanings. One usage can be harsh and another might be completely innocent. The same word can mean a cruel slur or a pile of sticks. In the same way, something said sarcastically differs drastically from something that was pointed and mean.
\nThe interpretation of a remark or a word has an immense amount of power. It\u2019s the difference between a laugh and hurt feelings. The difference between a fight breaking out and two people connecting.
\nThis is why it is so important to control the biases and lenses we bring to our interactions. When you hear or see something, which interpretation do you jump to? What is your default interpretation of someone else\u2019s intentions?
\nIf being upset or hurt is something you\u2019d like to experience less often, then make sure your interpretations of others\u2019 words make that possible. Choose the right inference from someone\u2019s actions or from external events, and it\u2019s a lot more likely that you\u2019ll have the right response.\u201d
\nExcerpt From: Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman. \u201cThe Daily Stoic.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cDo away with the opinion I am harmed, and the harm is cast away too. Do away with being harmed, and harm disappears.\u201d \u2014MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 4.7 A word can have multiple meanings. One usage can be harsh and another might be completely innocent. The same word can mean a cruel slur or a pile …<\/p>\n