This archive report was first published on 11 August 2019.
On a Sunday evening in August 2019, Seraphine Ruligirwa-Kamara penned an insightful article on the importance of maintaining a positive outlook in a toxic environment.
She began by highlighting the futility of working towards pleasing others, emphasizing that each person's idea of pleasure is unique and dynamic. Attempting to keep up with others' expectations can lead to feelings of frustration and helplessness.
According to Ruligirwa-Kamara, it's essential to focus on personal achievements and not solely work towards pleasing others. This mindset can help individuals develop emotional maturity and resilience in the face of criticism.
She noted that people often take offense easily, reacting to their environment using their physical senses. However, Ruligirwa-Kamara suggested that criticism, whether targeted or not, can be a gift that offers an opportunity to grow and learn.
By investing time in investigating our feelings, we can discover that the bruises caused by criticism have less to do with the message or messenger and more to do with incomplete self-actualization work within us.
Ultimately, Ruligirwa-Kamara emphasized that we are responsible for controlling our feelings and that no other person has the power to do so unless we give them that power.
