Who Pushes Your Buttons?

Most of the time when we get angry or hurt, it is because we take things personally.   We get hooked and react, which not only takes us out of the moment but negatively impacts our physical well being.

Much of our reactions come from family members.  We have history with them and when they do something that annoys or hurts us it is because we have made it about us.  In reality, it is about them- their thoughts, judgments and behaviors.

I once heard someone talking about how her parents really push her buttons.  Someone replied:  Remember, they installed them!  

One of the most difficult challenges in relationships is to let other be who they are, quirks and all without layering our objections and reactions onto their behavior. 

The key is to realize it is really not about us at all, it is about how they see things.  When we are able to see this clearly, we can come back to the here and now and go about our day with peace and ease.

In time, maybe those buttons can be uninstalled!

Let me know in the comments below how you react to family.  Do you take their behavior personally? If so, can you make a shift to stay in the moment?