Salty!

Daily Meditation 1,144–4/25/2025

Yesterday’s Meditation was about how we should, in some way, be a fairly close reflection of how others think of us — those who love us dearly, are nearest to us, and who stand to gain nothing from holding us in high regard.

But consider today’s a quasi “sequel” to it:

No matter what opinion others have for you or who they are — even parents or spouse — you’ve got to take that opinion with a grain of salt, as the expression goes.

Purely accepting anyone’s opinion of you is an absolute recipe for disaster.

Accepting praise at 100%?
You’ll become an arrogant and insufferable person, overconfident in yourself.

Accepting negativity at 100%?
You’ll be utterly crushed. And, frankly, most negativity from from online sources who we really should give only 1% credence too.

So accept praise or criticism as neutrally and unemotionally as you are able.

Take the praise with a grain of salt, understanding it may be flattery (especially from strangers, the opposite sex, or non-friend acquaintances), and only loosely absorb it.

Take criticism with a grain of salt, understanding it may be jealousy or outright trolling (especially online or from people known for negative attitudes), and also loosely absorb it.

Chew on and “savor” things — good and bad — and slowly decide if you wish to swallow them or spit them out in pieces or entirety.