
"The Dalai Lama tells us not to let the behaviour of others destroy our happiness or inner peace. In my lifetime working in the field of Relaxation and stress counselling, I would identify one of the greatest causes of one feeling stressed as being wholly unnecessary. Much stress occurs and is felt by you when you unknowingly take on the stress of another or allow them to dump their stress on you! If someone wants to act like a wet blanket, let them, but don't allow them to dampen your enthusiasm. If you encounter a particularly nasty and twisted person, don't wast your energy trying to straighten them out and change their nasty ways or alter their contorted view of life if they've made it clear that they've no intention of altering their ways. Just continue being your good self and allow them to bear the consequences of their own actions, hoping that they just may copy your more model behaviour if they see it often enough. This is what we in Haworth know as 'Tough love', which is as far removed from the more cynical and non-caring attitude of 'Tough shit' as one can get. William Forde: March 16th, 2014.