Are you offended?

We've all experienced moments where someone says or does something that offends us. Maybe it's a thoughtless comment, a rude gesture, or disrespectful behavior. When this happens, it's common for people to tell us that we're being too sensitive or that we need to toughen up. However, the truth is that feeling offended doesn't make you a flake or too sensitive. In fact, it's a completely reasonable, normal, and healthy reaction to an offense.

It's important to understand that being offended is a natural response to a perceived threat or attack. When someone says or does something that goes against our values, beliefs, or identity, it can trigger a fight-or-flight response in our brain. Our brain recognizes the offense as a potential threat and sends signals to our body to prepare for action. This is why we may feel our heart racing, our muscles tensing up, or our breathing becoming shallow when we're offended.

Feeling offended is also a sign that our inner director, or our conscience, is still working well. Our inner director is the part of us that guides us towards what we believe is right and wrong. When we're offended, it's because the offense goes against our inner director's sense of what is appropriate and just. It's a sign that we still have a strong moral compass and that we're in touch with our values and beliefs.

It's important to note that feeling offended is not the same as being overly sensitive or easily offended. Some people may be more prone to feeling offended than others, but this doesn't mean that their feelings are invalid or that they need to toughen up. It's important to acknowledge and validate our feelings, regardless of how others may perceive them.

Feeling offended can also be a catalyst for positive change. When we're offended, it can motivate us to take action and stand up for what we believe in. It can inspire us to have difficult conversations, challenge injustices, and make positive changes in our communities and society.

Feeling offended is a totally reasonable, normal, and healthy reaction to an offense. It shows that our inner director is still working well and that we're in touch with our values and beliefs. It's important to acknowledge and validate our feelings, even if others may perceive them as being too sensitive. Feeling offended can also be a catalyst for positive change and can motivate us to take action towards a more just and equitable world.