DanaAtkin

Remaining neutral can be difficult. We can be caught off guard by those we love when the politics of business or family or friendship circles bubble up. It’s easy to choose a side, to get drawn into the gossip and frustration. Some days, you’re only too ready to jump on the band wagon and be pulled in all emotional directions. We are all human.

But if in those moments, we can choose to remain in a neutral zone, by simply listening to their point of view (not offering to join their “side”), we have the ability to remain un-affected and we are able to stand aside from the drama, rather being drawn into it.

I had a rare moment the other day where I was able to stand aside from this thing exactly. Person A said to me that they felt like Person B was being less than nice. Then later, Person B said to me that they felt like Person A was being less than nice. Instead of getting involved, I remained neutral and respond with a  “oh?, that’s unusual”.

This did three things:

1. I didn’t get worked up because it’s their perceptions and their issue, not mine.
2. I didn’t add fuel to the fire by repeating what the other person said to either of them.
3. They felt heard because I was simply sitting and listening which meant they felt less ‘worked-up’ about the situation.

Sometimes, it’s best for the people involved, the situation and for yourself to remain neutral.

As always, download and save this Monday Mantra Image to your desktop or phone or print it and pin it somewhere you’ll see it. When you see it, say it. And if you know someone who would also benefit from this mantra, please share it.