We all have them in our lives. Sometimes it is a person with whom you only have occasional contact- perhaps a perennially malcontented client. Other times it is a person you must face on a regular basis, for the foreseeable future - like a evolutionarily challenged in-law. But regardless of time, place or context; near, far, daily or annually; difficult people are not going to go away. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that it's their job in your journey to more enlightened living to Not Go Anywhere.

We gravitate in this life to what we like, what we're good at and what makes us feel good in return. It's human. And so it is that Life enjoys keeping it fresh by sprinkling in a few challenges now and again so you don't become complacent. That is often in the form of a Difficult Person. And the reminder they give us is that the only thing in life you can change is yourself.

Don't think of it as taking the high road. Think of it as the only road. Because the other choice is actually moving you backward. Take a breath. Feel your feet touching the earth and grounding you in the present. Know that whatever is coming at you is really about him/her- not about you (you can be grateful for that!). Then silently thank your Difficult Person for being such a great teacher of compassion, patience, forgiveness and acceptance. If you can do it for them, you can do it for yourself, too. 'Cause you're not always so easy to live with either. :)