A friend and I were sharing our concern about another friend who was visibly affected by the actions she deemed unfair from others. It was taking our friend away from her normal way of being, thinking, and even looking. Whether credence was given or not toward the unfairness, what was showing more was her attitude taking a painful turn for the worse in a place and position she could not afford it to. At this point, regardless of whether her concerns were true, her attitude was what was speaking most loudly and clearly. Sadly, she’s not alone.

It’s often hard to take the high road with a happy face when one feels they’ve been treated unfairly, especially when they’re called to carry on “business as usual” in the midst of internal or external madness. I’ve been there, done that, had to smile in front of hundreds while hurting, work through tears which would have flooded a small village (or at least it seemed) and will one day write a book about it. However, all the adversary (the devil) or your adversities would like is for you to get huffed up, fired up, hot as fish grease, defeated, isolated, or disengaged and let that be your lasting impression, especially if your time and presence had truly made an impact. You see, it doesn’t matter if what they did is/was wrong if what you do or don’t do supersedes all of that. Keeping calm in the midst of chaos is a craft which can take you far and keep you sane.

There was a nifty little song by one of the greatest duos ever known to man (or at least this woman). The song was “Don’t Sweat the Technique” by Eric B and Rakim. Over a catchy and infections 80’s hook they rapped lyrics that brought out the best “ohhhh, snap” or “ohhhhhhhhwwwweeeeee” a vinyl record or cassette tape could buy. While their lyrics didn’t exactly sum up the sum total of this post the title surely was inspiration. I’d like to take a cue from this dynamic duo and encourage you by saying “don’t sweat their technique”, meaning don’t let them catch you slipping or off your game having you appear to be the unstable, cra-cra, overly-sensitive or unprofessional one. You better shake it off. Put your best foot and face forward. Deal with them the right way and maintain your character. Regardless of what others do or don’t do, how they act, the energy they carry and the attitude that joins it, don’t let it internally or externally affect you to the point of robbing you of being who you are, how you are and who you were meant to be. There’s a blessing, even in your troubles, which can come more quickly as you gracefully endure whomever or whatever you’re facing and get to wherever it was sent to take you, and do it sweatless. Don’t sweat their technique!

@AngelaMMoore316