When you’re in a crowd and someone throws a big ball toward you, what can you do? You have three choices: 1. Catch the ball and hold on to it — soon, your arms will start to ache. 2. Catch it, then drop it — it might jolt you for a moment, but the heaviness will pass. 3. Catch it and throw it back — now you’ve become part of the same game, possibly hurting the other person as much as they hurt you.

You’ll only respond if you believe the ball is meant for you. Otherwise, you’ll just step aside and let it fall.

This is exactly how people’s hurtful words, judgments, and criticism work. They are like balls being thrown at you. You can: 1. Catch and hold them, letting their weight sit with you and slowly wear you down. 2. Catch and drop them, choosing not to carry that pain for too long. 3. Throw them back, getting into arguments and hurting others in return.

But here’s a fourth and wiser option — don’t catch the ball at all. Step aside. Let it fall.

You only catch the ball when you think it’s yours to receive. But if you know deep inside that what’s being thrown at you is not a reflection of who you are, you don’t have to claim it. Their words are not your truth. You don’t have to let them in. You don’t have to react. Just walk away.

If you constantly catch every negative comment or criticism, you’re giving others control over your peace. Instead, learn to say: “This is not meant for me. I don’t need to accept this.”

The next time someone speaks ill of you or tries to drag you down, protect your energy. Let their negativity fall to the ground — unclaimed, untouched, and powerless. Picture that ball flying at you, and hear it say: “Don’t catch me. I’m not for you.”

Is there someone whose words have stayed with you for too long? Are you ready to let go of that “ball”?