"there's something about you i don't like about myself" and other ramblings about getting along

whenever i am around someone that frustrates me or i don't get along with, i say that quote to myself.  sometimes, it takes me saying it over and over before i figure out what about that person it is that i feel threatened/putoff/uneasy/whatever about.  sometimes (very often), that quote rings true.  

(of coarse, sometimes it doesn't and it is a matter of morals or worse..., but that is rare!)

there's something about you i don't like about myself.

probably because you are also the oldest child and used to having things your way.

there's something about you i don't like about myself.

probably because you are a take-charge kind of person and i'm the one in charge.

there's something about you i don't like about myself.

probably because you are fighting for what you believe in and 1) i disagree with what you're fighting for or 2) though i appreciate your enthusiasm, think you should reconsider which battles you pick because i think it is silly to be so adamant about something so insignificant.

there's something about you i don't like about myself.

maybe your tooth hurts and you have cramps and just all around you are having a crummy day, sort of like everyone has sometimes.

there's something about you i don't like about myself.

there's something about you i don't like about myself.

there's something about you i don't like about myself.

next time you are around someone you don't really like or get along with, consider what it is about them that you don't really like about yourself!  

...just some "oldest child" wisdom (though i don't think it has anything to do with being an oldest - more of being 34 years old)!  i wish i had learned it years ago! it has proven most effective at getting along with "difficult" people.

(p.s. when that doesn't work, i either just shut up - "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" or do the opposite - "kill them with kindness."  i can assure you that these two things still don't work on the really difficult people, but, at least you aren't kicking yourself at the end of the day for letting them get the better of you!)