Someone I love dearly said this to me. In their defense, they said it as a joke.
It can be a joke, and it can also have a message, at least for me.
I think I like to go all out with nearly everything. Those who know (and hopefully love) me would probably agree. I like to work hard, play hard, love hard, laugh hard, dig deep, give it all my all, have passionate conversations about values and beliefs, and dive into situations. So if I were going to take offense at something, I’d probably do that all out as well.
It also reminds me that taking offense is a choice. I can take it, or I can not. Someone can say the same thing to me on two different days, and my responses can be polar opposites. Sometimes I laugh things off and let things slide, and sometimes I take offense. Sometimes I take a lot of offense.
I coach my clients to be intentional about how they act and react. I coach them to make a decision about what they say and do. I can do the same about taking offense.
I can choose to not take anything, myself included, too seriously today, or I can take offense and go all out. And enjoy it.
I might as well go all out.
I’d love to hear your thoughts, and please share this post with others if it resonates with you!