On being the bigger person
Paul Lorenzo G. De Guzman
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There is a lot of talk about being the bigger person these days. But what does that mean in practice? For some, it might mean never losing their temper. For others, it might mean being understanding and forgiving. While for others, it could mean putting up with the other person’s bad behavior and refusing to fight fire with fire.
These are all noble goals that each of us should aspire to, but there’s a bit more to being a “bigger person” than that. Being the bigger person is not about letting things be. It’s having the courage to set things straight and let them realize the true picture. The bigger picture. It does not mean giving in or capitulating to the other person’s demands, but it does mean finding the middle ground that makes both of you happy without hurting anyone in the process.
Think of the last time you were annoyed at someone else for what they did or said to you. Did you just want to get even with them? If so, you probably haven’t fully embraced the idea of being the bigger person. The first thing to remember on being the bigger person is that communication is key. You have to be willing to communicate with the person in a way that is clear and open. This takes courage on your part, but you have to be willing to face your fear and speak your mind.
Let’s face it; none of us are perfect, and there are times when we say or do things that hurt others. Instead of lashing out at the other person and getting offended, it is better to take a step back and realize that sometimes people have different beliefs or different values than we do.
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Being the bigger person is looking beyond and deep. It is about accepting and learning from others’ mistakes so that we can all grow as people and as a society. Not easy, but not impossible either. Take a deep breath and don’t be so hard on yourself when something happens that isn’t quite the way you expected it to.
Your self-worth isn’t determined by the things you do or say, but by the person that you are inside – a kind and compassionate person who is willing to listen to others and help them grow as a person as well. Be the bigger person, and you’ll never regret the choices you make in life.