I’m grateful for everyone.

When I meet people, they show me exactly who they are. They show me if they are stuck, frustrated, open, generous, anxious, inspired, or threatened. This, naturally, creates a reaction in me of empathy, curiosity, attraction, and warmth. But sometimes it can create reactions of repulsion, fear, or competitiveness.

Our first reactions are never our fault. They are our coping mechanisms, there to protect us.

But our next reactions? Those we need to own.

When we react out of habit, from a place of fear and greed, etc., it gives us a chance to see our patterns and work with them with honesty and compassion. Without people provoking me, I remain ignorant of my own painful habits. I cannot train them, thereby allowing myself to be led astray, veering off course. This only costs me more time in the long run, and only if I catch that I’ve been traveling 3-degrees off course.

So thank you.