My travels continue and we’re all very excited about Iceland. During this trip, I’ve had time to think about some things I really need to work on personally. I want to share one of those things with you today, because it is something I think everyone can benefit from.

Have you ever been "handled" very eloquently by someone in management? Maybe you were very upset and frustrated with a particular company’s service, so you went up the chain from a customer service rep, to their supervisor, then to the manager. When you finally get to speak to the manager, they really listen to your needs and they do everything they can to help you.

I hate to say it, but it’s very rare to find someone who is actually competent in problem-solving skills and has a high level of people skills.

In my businesses today, I rarely have to deal with people who are really upset and coming at me with hostile, rude behavior. Of course I dealt with that in my early years, but today I don’t. However, in my personal life, YIKES! I have to tell you, I don’t do so well when someone comes at me really upset.

Have you ever had your spouse come home really upset about something that happened at work? Or maybe a co-worker who was upset about a deadline that was missed? They have a chip on their shoulder, they are upset and snappy.

It could even be you work with a woman who is just PMSing. She’s edgy and ticked off at the world, and there’s nothing anybody can do to make it better. And I have to tell you, I know men who seem to have the same thing going on sometimes!

You might look at them and say, "What’s wrong?" and they just fly off the handle.

Teenagers have this same thing. They are learning to manage their emotions, and they often have a level 10 response to a level 2 offense.

I have a confession to make. I am not very good at dealing with other people’s 10 reactions to a 2 offense, or when they have had a bad day or they’re PMSing and just need to blow off some steam.

I have GOT to grow in the area of not reacting to other people’s stuff, their rudeness and their moodiness. I’ve got to get better at my response to their "in-the-moment" level of frustration.

I have a tendency to get pulled into the ring and almost instantly I feel like I’m in a battle, but it’s not even my fight. It doesn’t even concern me, yet my emotions climb higher and higher, and then I’m upset that I even got pulled into that conversation.

The reality is, I am in control of how I respond or overreact to other people’s emotional state. Realizing that and reacting properly within a situation is something that must change in me.

What about you? I think we both should look at this. I’m focused on working on this, myself. I will not allow other people’s stress to stress me out. I won’t allow other people’s bad attitudes to give me a bad attitude. I won’t let other people’s rudeness cause me to be rude. This only makes the situation worse! I’ve done this before, and I hate it!

If you find yourself in the same boat, why don’t we work on this together? Let’s both decide not to jump into the ring, but instead to enter the conversation with compassion and a listening ear, choosing not to take offense. Stay on the outside of the boxing ring and let them blow off steam and deal with their stuff, and not take any of it personally! Do not be provoked to be angry, hostile, rude or frustrated. Choose not to make things worse!

We live in a very hostile world today, and part of the reason is we provoke each other into that kind of behavior. We can make the world a better place if we choose not to give into that frustration, hostility and stress at home, at work, in our communities, in our churches, at the airport, next time you’re dealing with a rude customer.

We’ve all had experiences with really good, high-level people who have elequently handled our rudeness. Let’s use their examples to inspire us to elequently handle those who are being rude in that moment.

Take a minute right now to share this message with your friends, family and co-workers. We can all use this reminder! Just share this link on Facebook and Twitter!

Watch your Inbox for more mesages from abroad this week! And as always, tune in on your TV or radio this Sunday night for The Dani Johnson Show!

In great faith,

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