SEMINOLE INDIAN SCOUTS CEMETERY ASSOCIATION

  • About Us
    • Officers and Board Members
    • Membership
    • Newsletter
    • Bylaws
  • Cemetery
    • Cemetery/Carver School Cleanups
    • Virtual Tour
    • Medal of Honor Recipients
    • Our Deceased >
      • 2019
      • 2015
      • 2013
      • 2010
      • 2008
      • 2006
      • 2005
      • 2002
      • 1997
      • 1926
  • Museum
    • Grand Opening
    • Virtual Museum
  • History
    • Black Seminoles: A Historical Overview
    • Seminole Negro Indian Scouts
    • Carver School
    • Books about the Seminoles
    • 1870 to 1914: 150 Years of the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts
  • Events
    • Juneteenth >
      • Juneteenth 2018
      • Juneteenth2017
      • Juneteenth 2015
      • Juneteenth 1987
    • Seminole Days >
      • Seminole Days 2022 >
        • Gallery
        • Seminole Days 2022 Flyer
        • Trip to Seminole Canyon
        • Afro-Seminole Creole
        • Meet & Greet/Lecture Series
        • Breakfast with the Fort Clark Historical Society
        • Annual Parade
        • Parade Entry Form
        • Annual Program
        • BBQ Plate Sale
        • Johnny Montgomery
        • Annual Meeting & Election Results
        • Pasta Dinner
        • Sunday Service
        • Places to Stay
      • Seminole Days 2019
      • Seminole Days 2017
      • Seminole Days 2016
      • Seminole Days 2015
      • Seminole Days 2014
      • Seminole Days 2013
  • Forum
  • Contact

11/14/2016

On Being Called Negative

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Recently, someone told one of my relatives that she was “negative.” Instead of being offended by these words, my kin said, “This person calling me ‘negative’ is really saying more about herself than she is about me. She is trying to project her feelings about herself onto me. Luckily, I know who I am, so her words have no effect on me.”

Throughout life, we all must face the opinions of others. We all must realize that not everyone is going to like us or be kind to us. As performer Dita Von Teese has been quoted as saying, “You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there’s still going to be somebody who hates peaches.”  Some people can and do use their words simply to bring sadness and hurt. When they are not able to have a healthy adult dialogue, their tongues turn into swords. They think that belittling and insulting people is fine; luckily, they are wrong. The important thing, though, is to remember that no matter what anyone thinks of you, the most important thing is what you think of yourself. No one else’s opinion should be able to affect you if you have already fortified yourself with self-awareness and self-love. Someone who is self-aware and self-loving will not use his or her words to personally attack or bring anyone down. We must not forget that arguing with a fool makes it hard to tell who is who, so instead of attacking someone, it is important to realize why that person is attacking you and to react in a way that is indicative of your intelligence and wisdom (and good home training).

This incident reminded me of the advice given in The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. The four agreements are (1) Be Impeccable with Your Word, (2) Don’t Take Anything Personally, (3) Don’t Make Assumptions, and (4) Always Do Your Best. The following is a brief explanation of the four agreements and is excerpted from Mr. Ruiz’s timeless classic:
  • Be Impeccable with Your Word:
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
  • Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
  • Don’t Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
  • Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy, as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

So when someone comes hurling negative insults your way, you have a choice to make. Will you get down in the mud with that person and come out just as dirty? Or will you, instead, be understanding and wise and respond with kindness and love?
 
 

Share

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

Details

    Author

    Augusta Pines

    Archives

    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    May 2015
    April 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association
PO Box 1797
Brackettville, TX
​78832

  • About Us
    • Officers and Board Members
    • Membership
    • Newsletter
    • Bylaws
  • Cemetery
    • Cemetery/Carver School Cleanups
    • Virtual Tour
    • Medal of Honor Recipients
    • Our Deceased >
      • 2019
      • 2015
      • 2013
      • 2010
      • 2008
      • 2006
      • 2005
      • 2002
      • 1997
      • 1926
  • Museum
    • Grand Opening
    • Virtual Museum
  • History
    • Black Seminoles: A Historical Overview
    • Seminole Negro Indian Scouts
    • Carver School
    • Books about the Seminoles
    • 1870 to 1914: 150 Years of the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts
  • Events
    • Juneteenth >
      • Juneteenth 2018
      • Juneteenth2017
      • Juneteenth 2015
      • Juneteenth 1987
    • Seminole Days >
      • Seminole Days 2022 >
        • Gallery
        • Seminole Days 2022 Flyer
        • Trip to Seminole Canyon
        • Afro-Seminole Creole
        • Meet & Greet/Lecture Series
        • Breakfast with the Fort Clark Historical Society
        • Annual Parade
        • Parade Entry Form
        • Annual Program
        • BBQ Plate Sale
        • Johnny Montgomery
        • Annual Meeting & Election Results
        • Pasta Dinner
        • Sunday Service
        • Places to Stay
      • Seminole Days 2019
      • Seminole Days 2017
      • Seminole Days 2016
      • Seminole Days 2015
      • Seminole Days 2014
      • Seminole Days 2013
  • Forum
  • Contact