“Think about it: what weakens us is feeling offended by the deeds and misdeeds of our fellow men. Our self-importance requires that we spend most of our lives offended by someone.”
― Fire from Within
Everyone is going to get offended from time to time. It happens. Someone says or does something, the hairs on our bodies stand up, we become alert, and we're itching for a fight. Not fun when you feel offended. "That person is a jerk! Did he really say that to me? How dare he?" Oops, I just got offended.
Another big one is not just things directly, but say people have rigid beliefs, and someone say mocks them. They feel offended not just for themselves, but now its about offending their God, or their guru, or their savior. They get offended and take it personally. Get angry. But in the end, I wonder of the gods or the gurus or saviors really care...
Its a good test of self-importance when you get offended. Its the ego having its trip. The world cannot be confirmed and shaped perfectly to our liking. Some thing offends is going to be natural. Thats not as much the issue. Its our 'reaction' in what the offense does to us, which can set us back. Eventually we can temper the flame of the offense. But if we remain slighted, offended, upset, we might start an inferno with it. We may go batshit crazy. We might even hit someone cause so offended. Being offended can make us angry and we can do stupid things as a result.
Words can offend. When you think about it, what really are words? Someone just formulated a sentence or two in their mind, and it came out. Words only have power over us if we allow them. And we do see say in the media, they do have power. They definitely do. Like say I rip on my kids and cut them down, they will feel it. So I choose my words wisely, but not all do this.
You cant spend your life being offended by folks or you will remain angry and bitter. Just try to see words as words, and dont worry about the words behind the words. Because those words may be full of ignorance or anger by the other person. Try to rise above the situation and if you do feel offended, really meditate on it. "Why did that get to me?" You'll probably see you are creating something out of nothing, and it doesnt need to effect you in such a way. Water off a ducks back. We will get offended, but we have to show we are bigger and better than the offense itself.