A solid rock by wind is undisturbed.
The wise by praise and blame are unperturbed.

The Dhammapada - Chapter 6, Verse 81
(Translated by Verado Bhikkhu)
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Maybe I’d heard this analogy before, but this same visual came to me in a meditation a few years ago: that I needed to become an emotional rock amongst the winds of chaos.

My reaction to praise was an enlightening realization; not because I’d let it go to my head to inflate my ego, but instead, whenever I received a genuine compliment, I’d brush it off with a joke. I realized this, ironically enough, during a stand-up comedy class. My routine in progress went well, and a peer sung my praises. But instead of a thank you, I swatted it away with self-deprecating humor.

My natural reaction stuck out to me then and made me wonder how long I’d been doing it for. My whole life, practically (which I write about in more detail in a book I plan to release someday, so I won’t disclose the rest here. The short of it is, my brain had been wired to feel praise was foreign, or think I didn’t deserve any).

Perturbed is an understatement for how being (unjustly) blamed has made me feel. The hair trigger on this one is better now, but I’m not quite the stoic I’d like to be in this department just yet. It’s been one of the deepest childhood triggers to dig deep into and unwire.

The lesson here from this gem of wisdom is simple and clear: Strive to be that rock in the wind.