Clouds of Compassion

There's someone in my life right now that has a problem with me. I know, and she probably does too, that this problem doesn't stem from any real transgression on my part; more likely, it's a result of her own insecurities and fears. I get it. I've known many people like this, including my own mother. But it doesn't make it any easier to deal with, even in adulthood when you have a bit of a handle on what makes people tick.

I have a bad habit of letting people like this intimidate me on some level. This is something I truly dislike about myself. Common sense tells me I have no reason to be intimidated by this person, that my talents actually far surpass hers on many levels. Not conceit, just observation. But I still struggle daily with allowing this person to make me feel like a bumbling idiot.

A spiritual friend of mine taught me once about "clouds of compassion." When you're faced with someone you're annoyed with, or who is annoyed with you, picture all your greivances and all their grievances floating away in clouds as you remember that most of these things aren't personal, and that other people have their own problems that might be invading other parts of their lives. It works -- most days. Other days, murderous thoughts are still running through my head.

Anyone else have this problem? How do you handle people who try to act/be more superior than everyone around them?