About this quote

Most of our pain does not come from what people do to us, but from the story we build around it. You get passed over for a promotion, or someone makes a rude comment, and you immediately decide you are a victim. Why feed that anger? If you strip away the narrative of being wronged, you are left with simple, workable facts. Drop the self-pity and the wound heals instantly.

When to use it

• When your boss gives harsh feedback on a project you spent weeks on. Instead of stewing all weekend about how they hate you, you decide they just want a better report and get to work on the edits.
• After tearing a ligament during basketball practice. You stop asking 'why me' and focus entirely on your daily physical therapy exercises.
• When a family member forgets your birthday. Instead of feeling neglected and starting a feud, you let it go, knowing they are just overwhelmed with their own busy schedule.