I WILL NOT LET ANYONE
WALK THROUGH MY MIND
WITH THEIR DIRTY FEET.
(Mahatma Gandhi)
I once had a teacher tell me I reminded her of a sponge, the way I would sit in my desk and absorb what was going on around me. Well, that's all well and good for writing but for me now, for my life now? Not so much.
I soak in way too much of other people's stuff - their sadness, anger, anxiety, pessimism. I have to constantly fight back against wave after wave of their negative emotions, words and actions. I imagine myself wearing armor. I pretend to put up shields. I give myself pep talks before confronting people and situations that tend to bring me down. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
But after reading Gandhi's words, I don't think I'll need to do those things anymore. This quote - so simple, so clean, so clear - is a new mantra of mine.
Let's not let anyone mess up our minds this week - or ever! Tell them to take their dirty feet and keep on walking.
Sometimes it's hard to distance ourselves, but we have to for our own sake.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm learning. It doesn't mean I don't care or that I won't help, etc but sometimes I need to save myself.
DeleteWhat a powerful quote. I love it. Thanks for sharing it here!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! When I first read it, I got goose bumps.
DeleteWhat a great quote. I'd never heard this one before.
ReplyDeleteI tend to soak in too much of other people's messes as well and it can be very draining. Here's to no more dirty feet!
It's exhausting, isn't it? I find it not only draining physically and emotionally but also creatively.
DeleteThe mind is such a powerful thing. Keeping it clean, positive, and motivated is also part of keeping it at peace. I couldn't agree more. Great mantra.
ReplyDeleteIt constantly amazes me how powerful our mind are, how they can be our best friends or our worst enemies.
DeleteI'm pretty lucky to surrounded by mostly positive people so there isn't anyone close to me who gets me down most days. Hope your new favorite saying works for you.
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Susan! You're extremely lucky.
DeleteGreat quote. I like it a lot.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patricia! I'm glad you like it.
DeleteI like that quote. lol I'm the same way, so I might have to start thinking about that more.
ReplyDeleteIt really does seem to help.
DeleteWonderful quote and great advice. I hope your sponginess becomes selective, and only absorbs happy, healthy emotions from now on!
ReplyDeleteSelective sponginess - love that! :)
DeleteSometimes it can be helpful to remind yourself, when you're dealing with a negative and nasty person, that their behavior isn't about you.
ReplyDeleteAh, good point! :)
DeleteThat's a great focus--one we definitely need when slogging through reviews and trying to keep our self esteem up. You retain only what you allow to stay, eh?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! It's up to us what stays in our minds...and what goes. :)
DeleteWhat an inspiring quote! It's so true that we can get wrapped up in other folks' emotions. When they're happy emotions, I think it's good, but when it's negative--not so much. When someone is negative or annoying, I make a point to avoid them and go on my merry way.
ReplyDeleteIt's one thing if a person has a problem and needs some help or needs to vent etc but when that becomes ongoing, it can suck the joy right out of us. Going on our merry way is a great idea. :)
DeleteI agree. A great mantra to live by.
ReplyDeleteAfter all, positivity rules!
The trick is to remember the mantra and to repeat it often. :)
DeleteDirty feet don't belong here. Love that quote! Thanks for sharing, Madeline!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome!
DeleteExcellent quote and attitude, Madeline. I think that's one of the side effects of social media with SO many writers out there boasting and bemoaning. We have to focus on our own dreams and see them through in our own time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Milo! I appreciate your comment. :)
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