Your Emotions Are Your Strength: Don’t Hand Them Over to Others

Calmness and emotional control are the foundation of success in life. Don’t let others ruin your mood or influence your actions—stay centered, balanced, and confident in yourself.

I love a Buddhist parable on this topic.

One day, Buddha was sitting under his favorite tree, meditating in the cool shade.A traveler approached, sat beside him, and started criticizing and insulting Buddha.Time passed, yet Buddha simply listened and smiled.When the traveler finally fell silent, Buddha asked him:

• Tell me, traveler, when you go to a birthday party and bring a gift, who does the gift belong to?

• Traveler: If I haven’t given it yet, it still belongs to me.

• Buddha: And when you give the gift to the birthday person, who does it belong to?

• Traveler: It belongs to them.

• Buddha: And if they don’t like your gift and return it to you, who does it belong to then?

• Traveler: In that case, it’s mine again.

• Buddha: Exactly. I do not accept your unwanted gift. Take your insults back—they are not mine to keep.

Wishing you love and harmony!