Being offended by something is truly a fascinating event.
There are apparently endless opportunities to be offended, should you choose to look for it.
I understand that what someone takes offense to is an extremely personal thing.
What is often overlooked I think is that we do get to choose what we are offended by, and how we react to it.
There are no shortage of people in this world that will get offended at the drop of a hat, and use that energy to cause a commotion. They will proclaim a great injustice! Their feelings were hurt. “The world should reorient to MY perspective!”
In the end, what does getting offended accomplish? Here’s a better strategy:
- If someone offends you, don’t continue to engage.
- If a brand offends you, stop buying from them.
- If a television show offends you, stop watching.
- If you don’t like the way a website presents news, find a new one.
Getting offended is a lot like worrying, it feels like it’s accomplishing something but, typically, it really isn’t. If no one is forcing you to buy, watch, engage, or whatever with the offensive subject matter, then just move on.
Better to use that energy elsewhere. We should focus on the things that lift us up and make us smile rather than trying to make the entire world fit our own individual viewpoints.