I have found throughout my life that people tend to focus on each other’s flaws. Be one of the people who doesn’t do that. Embrace forgiveness. Embrace the light in others.

You will still find that they will focus in on your flaws. Don’t retaliate, but don’t let them drag you down either. People will tend to see you as being similar to themselves, so if they are assigning negative traits to you, be certain that they have negative traits in themselves. Especially if the negative traits they are assigning to you don’t have clear roots – if they are taking small flaws in you and magnifying them into large, out-of-proportion flaws, know that it is probably that they are assigning them to you because they exist in them.

It is a sad reality and one that I have experienced myriad times and one that everybody I know has experienced myriad times. Losing friendships because of lack of forgiveness on either side. Losing friendships because one or both of you insists on focusing on the flaws rather than the light.

• Forgive easily.
• Don’t retaliate.
• Stay open.

When your friends turn against you because of illusions, let yourself be sad. It is a loss, but it is a loss you cannot always control. Sometimes you must accept that people will not see you for who you really are. Don’t let their insults affect how you feel about yourself at your core. What they say is more about them than it is about you. So own what you can own, and then walk away with your head held high.

Then take that hurt that you cannot avoid or control and make it a point to not hurt others in that way. When somebody is annoying you, think about who they really are, and not what you are seeing in them. Think about how what you are seeing might just be more a reflection of you than of them. Give that serious consideration.