" Rise Up ... "

(Rise up rise up) Oh rise and show your power
(Rise up rise up) Were dancing into the sun
(Rise up rise up) It's time for celebration
(Rise up rise up) Spirits time has come ...

We want lovin' we want laughter again
We want heartbeat
We want madness to end
We want dancin'
We wanna run in the streets
We want freedom to live in this peace
We want power
We want to make it ok
Want to be singin' at the end of the day
Children to breathe a new life
We want freedom to love who we please
It's time for a celebration ...

(Rise up rise up) Everbody's time has come
Spirits time has come
Spirits time has come
(Rise up rise up) Oh rise and show your power.

~ The Parachute Club ~ Rise Up ~

***

The definition of “get a rise out of” is to make very angry, to bother, to egg on, to enrage, to fire up, to get under one’s skin, to inflame, and/or to infuriate.  Either we have been the one reacting or the one looking for the reaction.  Not our proudest moments, but perhaps familiar ...

So how do you know if you have a button pusher (B pusher) in your life?  

B pushers drape their tone with sarcasm so that they can get their point across with intent to convince you ... and make you feel as if you are wrong or your opinion isn’t worthwhile. 

B pushers taunt you into debating on silly, petty topics.  They lure you into an argument with the intent to offend.  An argument they have already won in their minds.

B pushers feel their opinion is the only right one.  They insert their voice into every conversation because they feel everyone else is off in left field somewhere.  They choose to dominate all interactions.

B pushers hog up the whole conversation talking about themselves or what they think, like, dislike or feel.  They don’t let you get a word in edgewise.  They think you are their sounding board and they must be in control, always.

So how do you deal with the B pusher in your life?

First, you have to acknowledge that you are tired of having your buttons pushed.  This intention will allow you to feel better and help you get in touch with your personal power.  Being honest about the fact you don’t like having your buttons pushed will help motivate you to look for solutions.

Second, take this empowerment and do something about it.  Confront you B pusher, politely.  You could give them the benefit of the doubt, assuming they are unaware of their behaviour.  Explain your reasoning and offer a solution.

Third, if the behavior doesn’t stop, take matters into your own hands.  You choose who is in your life and you allow people to treat you in the manner you wish to be treated.

Last, focus more on what you do like about the person than what you don’t like.  Put their behaviour in perspective.  Is it intentional?  What is the logic behind their actions?  Try to understand their motives instead of jumping to conclusions.  

Remember you might just be pushing their buttons as well ...