I follow Thich NNat Hanh who often posts wise words of advice about life. I love his lesson on not reacting when situations occur. Reacting won’t make people suddenly love you, respect you or magically change their minds. Sometimes it’s better to just let things be, let people go, don’t fight for closure, don’t ask for explanations, don’t chase answers and don’t expect people to understand where you’re coming from.
Life is often better lived when you don’t centre it on what’s happening around you and center it on what’s happening inside you instead. Work on yourself and your inner peace and you’ll come to realize that not reacting to every little thing that bothers you is the first ingredient to a happy and healthy life.”
I have learned that when someone makes me want react to stop and take a few breaths and it is amazing how it changes your perspective quite often. It also helps the other person stop and possibly reflect. Not always, but at least I get to respond or walk away rather than react and regret it.
Another question I ask is whether this is a hill I want to die on.