When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you. African Proverb
So how often do we feel the pain and anger from others. For me it is often multiple times a day. Well hello. Who is in charge of that. Clearly Africans get it.
A dear friend passed this proverb on to me. She often has an answer when I need it. This is one of them. My mom used to remind me as a child, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me.” I used that often in my youth and now a more sophisticated version of that comes to me in the proverb.
We, okay I should speak for myself, I often feel hurt by someone else’s behavior toward me. If I listen to this proverb, I need to know that I should look within first and see why it hurts me. The behavior of others does not mean they are attempting to hurt me or punish me. Instead I need to remember that their action comes from their own source of emotions. They too have “issues”.
I know sometimes things are easier said than done but I now have this proverb on my desktop and in my journal so I can remind myself until it becomes second nature to find what and where the enemy truly hides and then be able to dismiss it or accept it’s friendship.
I’m grateful for proverbs!
