Don't Take Things Personal
There is an unchallengeable truth to doing time: It is guaranteed someone will piss you off. It's a fact you cannot avoid. I have learned that, whether in prison or the free world a way to deal with this which will result in success, happiness, and peace of mind. It is "Don't take things personal".
First, guards will tick you off. Sometimes it feels like they are fulfilling a job requirement. But the truth is they are just doing "a job". There is someone they answer to who controls their livelihood like prison controls ours. In addition, guards are people with family, financial, and social problems. We may want them to carry themselves more professionally. Yet, if we wish to be forgiven for our shortcomings, we must forgive others for theirs. So when it seems like you just can't catch a break from their attitude, don't take it personal.
Second, inmates will rub you the wrong way, metaphorically speaking. Your cellmate may do something upsetting. Or another offender may say something you just don't like. Look at those instances the same as above. Plus, prisoners are serving time in addition to dealing with family, financial, and social problems. If you want others to be patient with you when you are having a bad day. You must be patient with theirs.
Third and last, Criticism is an observation, not a value statement.
Criticism in prison is as common as shrimp is to gumbo. We receive from our guards, inmates and possibly from friends and family. Our friends, family, and coworkers will always find something about us we can improve and do better. Yet, how you interpret criticism will not only determine whether you achieve self change but also the quality of your inner growth.
When you perceive criticism only as "an observation" you can objectively make adjustments in your work, attitude or behavior. These changing will then allow you to grow in a positive manner. Even when the criticism seems harsh or is delivered in a gauche manner, by keeping it in the realm of an observation you gain a measure of emotional detachment. This detachment allows you to evaluate the critique as beneficial for change. It also allows for enough space discard humbly.
Yet, if you view criticism as "a value statement", you become emotionally invested in the statement. The statement becomes difficult to evaluate on its merits and adopt for self growth. Instead the statement is viewed as an assessment of who you are. This is the "I'm a problem" instead of the "situation or behavior is the problem", catastrophic thinking. When I learned criticism of my work or behavior was not a definement of who I was as a person but a mere observation. I was able to make corrections in my work and my behavior. These changes produced peace, happiness, and success in my work and my life.
To conclude, we all will have a bad day brought on by others. Yet, if we don't take inmates, guards, or family's behavior or criticism personally. We will achieve success, happiness, and peace of mind.
Ronin Wolf