How Thin Is Your Skin?

Know anyone who's thin-skinned? Perhaps it's you. Find a way to a thicker hide in this mini podcast.

 Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

Find the written versions of these podcasts on John's podcasting site: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628038

"The Grasshopper" is the part of you that whispers pearls of wisdom that  seem to pop into your mind from out of the blue. John's essays and blog posts are his interpretations of these "Nips of Nectar." Others have labeled his writings as timeless wisdom. 

Most of the John's writings revolve around self improvement and self help. They address topics like:

• Mindfulness
• Peace of mind
• Creativity
• How to stay in the present moment
• Spirituality
• Behavior improvement

And stories that transform you to a wider sense of awareness that presents more options. And isn't that what we all want, more options? 

John uploads these podcasts on a regular basis. So check back often to hear these podcasts heard around the world. Who wants to be the next person to change? 

Make sure to order a copy of John's new book: WISDOM OF THE GRASSHOPPER – 21 Days to Creativity. These mini-meditations take you inside where all your creative resources live. And you'll come out not only refreshed but recommitted to creating your future. 

It's only $16.95 and available at BLURB.COM at the link below. https://www.blurb.com/b/10239673-wisd...

Also, download John's FREE book INTER RUPTION: The Magic Key To Lasting Change. It's available at John's website  https://GrasshopperNotes.com

Transcript

How Thin Is Your Skin?

Years ago, I started noticing something interesting. There’s a pretty direct connection between people who can dish it out – but can’t take it – and the size of their ego.

And once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

We all carry around an image of who we think we are. The tricky part? We don’t realize that image isn’t actually us. It’s more like a byproduct of being human – kind of like your breath. It’s there . . . but it’s not you.

Now, when someone is loud, defensive, constantly on the attack, and easily offended – what we’d call “thin-skinned” – it’s usually because that image they’re holding onto doesn’t line up with reality. So every time real life bumps into it, it leaves a deep bruise.

And those bruises don’t feel good.

So what happens? They go into defense mode. They circle the wagons. They get ready for a fight.

But here’s what's really happening – they’re fighting for an illusion. At that point, even Don Quixote with his sword, charging at windmills starts to look pretty reasonable by comparison.

Because reality? Reality is just going to keep showing up. It doesn’t check in with your self-image first. It doesn’t ask permission. And if you take it personally – if you see it as an attack on who you think you are – you’re signing up for a lifetime of battles.

That’s exhausting.

Here’s another clue: if you find yourself saying “that’s not fair” a lot . . . you might want to take a closer look. Because outside of baseball, “fair” is a fairy tale. Life doesn’t operate on that standard.

And if you’re constantly defending yourself—day after day, year after year – it’s worth asking: What exactly am I protecting here?

Chances are, it’s not something real. It’s an image. A story. Something you made up somewhere along the way . . . and then felt the need to defend.

That’s a lot of energy to spend on something that isn’t real.

So what’s the alternative?

Put down the sword.

And that starts by recognizing you're not the character you created in your head. Once you really begin to see that, something shifts. Things don’t get under your skin as easily. You’re not as quick to jump into battle.

Because there’s nothing there that needs defending.

And that’s a much lighter way to live.

All the best,

John