ASK MAULANA

In essence, we must always think whether a new problem is being generated or is the issue getting resolved. After thinking on these lines, we should determine our course of action. Should I stop getting offended for everything? Yes, absolutely! God helps those who take themselves to such levels of objectivity that they are not offended at all. God loves the one who does not get offended whatever be the situation—when a person does this, angels would rush in his direction, exclaiming: ‘Here is the kind of a person we were looking for!’ How can a person identify his shortcomings? In order to identify our own shortcomings, we must possess an objective mindset and should not get offended by what another person tells us about ourselves. We should imagine the other person to be like a mirror, which gives us an exact reflection of ourselves. Either one becomes angry on criticism or is overjoyed upon being praised; both these responses are improper. Criticism should be welcomed and due thought should be given to the message being conveyed without becoming disturbed by its tenor. However, one gets offended when one’s ego is touched and that happens even when someone speaks the truth. Our dormant ego may still get aroused on provocation. A true realist is one who has an awakened mind, one that is able to gauge the slightest of deviation from the path of realism. He accepts feedback as it is and introspects to realize and overcome his shortcomings. o