When someone “does something to us” we often take it personally.
We tend to think there is something about us that this person is responding to, or we feel hurt that we are being treated this way.
On some level we seem to think if we were different the person would not have done this to us.
Although it is very hard to avoid feeling this way it is often the case that what someone has done to us says more about them than it does about us.
If someone treats you badly and you feel the treatment is unjustified (which is usually the case when we are feeling hurt–confronting negative behavior respectfully and appropriately is something else and should not lead to hurt feelings) it is often the case that this person is treating us this way because of their issues, not ours.
Once again, it is a lot easier said than done, not to take things personally, especially if it involves someone we love.
Remember we cannot change others and we should not take their flaws personally.
How do you deal with hurtful behaviors by others? Do you find yourself taking them personally?