Many people cause themselves …

Posted on May 23, 2015 by Robert Ringer

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Many people cause themselves a great deal of unnecessary grief by never seeming to learn that another human being is not what they think he ought to be, but who and what he really is. Deluding oneself about a person’s true nature is not only self-deceitful but self-destructive as well.

The single most important thing to understand about human beings is that they are imperfect. The failure to come to grips with this reality can be the source of endless frustration and disappointment. We want so badly for people to be perfect that we often hurt ourselves by expecting too much of them.

Once you accept the reality of man’s imperfection, it’s much easier to understand that the issue is not whether or not people will hurt you; rather, it’s a matter of whether or not you allow them to. This hurt is often the result not only of your inability to acknowledge someone’s imperfection, but of engaging in the presumptuous task of trying to change him into something he is not.

Which is a futile and thankless task, especially when dealing with those closest to you. Friends, lovers, spouses, parents, and children are people, too. And, as such, they are subject to the same human imperfections as everyone else.

However, because of their close proximity to you, they are in a position to cause you much more pain than others — again, if and only if you allow them to.

By accepting the imperfection of other people, you dramatically reduce their ability to disappoint and hurt you. Never forget that you have free will, so the power to do so is entirely in your hands.

Robert Ringer

Robert Ringer is an American icon whose unique insights into life have helped millions of readers worldwide. He is also the author of two New York Times #1 bestselling books, both of which have been listed by The New York Times among the 15 best-selling motivational books of all time.