Sana Khawaja
Sana Khawaja asked C. JoyBell C.:

"You're going to meet many people with domineering personalities: the loud, the obnoxious, those that noisily stake their claims in your territory and everywhere else they set foot on...It's not your job to change these people, but it's your job to show them that your peace and gentleness do not equate to weakness"How do you practice this without compromising on your gentleness?

C. JoyBell C.
Hi, Sana!

This is a good question to ask. Actually, that is something that takes so much effort to self-develop and to work on. There are so many people that can put us in situations wherein we feel the urges to fight them, or to show them who's "tougher" ... but then in the end, when we go down that path, we end up giving them exactly what they want (the falling out of our place of light and peace). But really, it is a very difficult balance to create and I struggle with creating that balance, as well. I think that there is a longing to be in a position wherein we no longer need to EVER toughen our exterior, any more!

There are many legends, stating that the reason why the Fairies and the Elves retreated into hiding, is because the humans were so cruel to them and caused them vexation. Instead of becoming like humans; they retreated from the human world. We, however, cannot "retreat" into a different world physically; but we may "retreat" into the gardens of our minds! We do not have to give other people power over our reactions by being reactive and reacting to every stimulus that comes along... we may instead retreat into the gardens of our minds where there is sweetness and peace and gentleness. I have found that when you speak to someone who is contrary to you, from that garden in your mind, from that position, it really does come across powerful and the energy itself scares the contrary person away. Gentleness, at the end of the day, possesses a greater and more powerful energy than those who would like to rub you in the wrong way.

Of course, common sense needs to always be applied. If someone is about to hit you in the face, you must of course defend yourself. So on and so forth. If someone comes in to rob your house, you must of course defend yourself and your home. Common sense always.

I hope this answer helps and do feel free to ask more in the future! :)

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