In our childhood we had many sayings to help us cope with bullies. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” “I know you are, but what am I?” “I’m rubber, you’re glue, what bounces off me sticks to you.” Perhaps you had other favorites, these are just three that come to my mind at this moment. My physical childhood is way behind me now!
The truth in these replies
When someone called us names these responses were almost automatic, but you know what? Each of these responses was a metaphysical truth that applies to childhood or any age. Names will never hurt me; I know you are; sticks to you. Somewhere along the line we were accidentally taught that words are words are words. Words themselves cannot hurt us, unless, we choose to be hurt by those words. I certainly did not realize the significance of what I was saying, my replies were things I had been taught by someone else, but looking back I am astounded by how accurate they were!
Developing a tough skin
In childhood we were told by our parents that we had to develop a tough skin in this world. By having things we could fling back at others when we were challenged partially served that goal. What having a tough skin really means is that we do not allow things other people say to hurt our hearts. We hopefully have learned that when others call us names, they are simply reflecting how they feel about themselves. It has nothing to do with us. As we look at this idea we realize that it is not a tough skin at all, it is a loving heart. We hear the pain in the other person seeking release. The misplaced and misdirected anger of others does not have to impact us at all if we come from love.
Learn how to deal with other people’s anger in Think, Believe, Receive, available at Amazon.com.
