Don't take anything personally because by taking things personally
you set yourself up to suffer for nothing. Humans are addicted to
suffering at different levels and to different degrees, and we
support each other in maintaining these addiction. Humans agree to
help each other suffer. If you have the need to be abused, you
will find it easy to be abused by others. Likewise, if you are with people
who need to suffer, something in you makes you abuse them. It is
as if they have a note on their back that says, "Please kick me." They
are asking for justification for their suffering. Their addiction to suffereing
is nothing but an agreement that is reinforced every day.
from The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
