Recognize. Honor. Keep it moving. Everything isn’t always about us. I knew I was healing when I stopped taking other people wounds on as my own. I talk about this in depth in HOW WE HEAL. I know it’s so hard NOT to drop to other people’s level when they’re being mean or emotionally chaotic. A part of our humanness is to defend ourselves when we feel attacked. I get it. AND... What I’m learning as I move through this healing and growth journey is recognizing what is about me and what is not. If I choose to match people’s negative energy, then I am also choosing to disrupt my inner peace. There’s a major difference in reacting versus mindfully responding. Or respectfully bowing out. I’m not longer interested in meeting people where they are when they’re in an aggressive or hurtful state. I say my mantra and I pay attention to what’s mine to carry and what is not. Community: How are you learning to honor and recognize folks for where they are with compassion and grace (even when it’s hard...)?