I SEE STUPID PEOPLE EVERYWHERE (A WAY TO BEAT ARROGANCE)

(Warning: In case you misinterpret it, I do not feel angry while writing this. In truth, I am empathizing with those people who were hurt and embittered by others who don’t really matter. I wrote this because once in my past, I struggled with this dilemma. Now, I want to tell others how to change their mindset and  to get through it.)

Lately I’d been reading a lot of posts about how other people have been acting like uncivilized specimens with abominable behaviors.  Inhabitants of the world who should not be called “human beings” but cretins behaving supreme, ruling dominion all over the earth. 
Such posts like these remind me of how arrogance and rudeness are sometimes elevated because of misconceptions about self-esteem prevailing in our society. Developing self-esteem is never being narcissistic, never selfish nor ill-mannered. However, our society confuses having self-esteem with being “self-absorbed”  and as the  way to snag power and success,  and  in the end,  pushes it to extreme haughtiness and self-centeredness. As I’ve digressed in my previous post about the “bitch culture”, being nasty is promoted as a rule to battle insecurity in a very cruel dog-eat-dog society that is embraced by others as the credo for success and empowerment.

So, in the real world like we live in, these blockheads will probably hold authority over your whole being. If we don’t know how to deal with these sub-humans existing around us, we would be crushed and lose our grips on our lives. They think being mean gives them the edge over the situation and over others whom they think is out to endanger their worth.

I used to cry so much when others tried to ridicule me and let it on my brains feeling so damned a failure. After wallowing in tears, fraught with disquietude, I realized I would never let these people overtake my spirits again.

It had come to my senses that there will always be “beings” around our peaceful world, with tenacious aims to shake us, torment us and snipe us. But I know now how to deal with them. At least I know better.

What I think of them might be “unconventional advice” but at least it works without making me feel guilty or less of what I think God thinks of me. I think of these people who are “rude, sinister, prejudiced, mean, bitchy, arrogant, evil and self-centered” as “STUPID.”

For a Christian like me, other Christians would probably think it’s radical and “un-holy.”
But I don’t call them “stupid” rather I THINK they’re stupid. Stupid people don’t know anything---they lack knowledge and quickness of mind. What I had in mind does not call for any uncouth manner towards them but more of a “thought” to make me feel I have got nothing to do with them.

When stupid people dump their garbage, they don’t toss them in the trash bins. They throw them in the curbside or in other places that are not garbage dumps neither waste sites. Stupid people hurl their garbage full of anger, resentment, and bitterness into others by making them feel hurt and miserable as much as they do.  Because they don’t know where to go or to turn for comfort and consolation, these stupid miserable people on earth like to attack others with vitriol to make themselves feel better and consoled. Like the old adage, “misery loves company, “ these stupid miserable people want others to be also miserable because they feel alone in their sufferings of wretchedness. Witnessing how you were despaired with their poison, they think they’re not alone. They want you to be their companion so you can all together sink deep in your bitter waters. If these stupid people cuss and diss you, they are trying to define themselves by the same things they call you because they like you to be what they are. They want you to be enslaved by their crassness so you are like one of them as they are also subjugated by their feelings of agony and helplessness.

But in reality, these "morons" don’t know much. They do not  think before opening their mouths. They do not  use their minds to find out what are the consequences of their words and actions. They either do not  want to think about it or they’re just plain fools. Their hubris actually deceives their own selves, which is the sole cause of their inevitable downfall.

When others hurt you, usually they don’t know exactly what they are doing. They don’t think about God, nor think neither about ethics nor about what others will feel.  In short, they’re not using what’s between their ears.

After Jesus was tortured and beaten to death, He said just before dying, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”

I am not saying Jesus thought them as imbeciles. But He saw that the cruelty He endured was out from the “lack of knowledge” of those who mocked him and crucified Him. In today’s social descriptive framework, “lack of knowledge” could equate “stupidity.” Imagining these creatures as ‘stupid” is only my own personal opinion. But please don’t hate me for that.

So, next time these wicked ninnies try to taunt you and make your life a living hell, ignore their actions. Though you may be hammered, go on and do not let them take your joy. Instead, FORGIVE them.  “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary; "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12: 17-21)

Since they have no sufficient knowledge whatsoever, you should teach them. Teach them to be kind by forgiving them. Show them, instead of reciprocating their atrocities, that compassion and kindness is all you can give them back. Let your spirits be not dampened and your joy intact. Radiate to them the brightness of God’s favor in you. In so doing, what you’ve shown tells them that they did not succeed in making you feel the way they feel. Instead, their heads will go  aflame with  convictions that remind of the evil deeds they did against the will of God.

Honestly, most of these dunderheads don’t have an idea they’re acting like a bunch of jackasses.  They think that everything is just fine with them. So, before they can push your buttons, be reminded that they don’t even know that they are  that so stupid. Just like in the movie, The Sixth Sense, Haley Joel Osment playing the role of Cole sees dead people who don’t know that they’re dead. With his famous line about the dead, I replace the word “dead” with “stupid.” “I see stupid (dead) people. They’re everywhere. They just don’t know they’re stupid (dead).”

So far, this works for me.

How about you, how do you deal with "stupid people?"

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Comments

[Don McDaniel]

Thanks so much for sending me a link to this article. Great job. Sounds like congress today.

:) The Business Mole

[keleric]

Interesting post indeed. The way I dealt with this sort of crap was very simple. I analyzed them and put them under a microscope in my head. Noting all the moves they do, and how they act upon others and why they act the way you do. 80% of the time, in my humble opinion, they are the way they are because they are trying to compensate for some sort of short coming and insecurity that they may have with themselves. Sad thing is, by continuing to be a "stupid" person...... they unknowingly dig themselves a grave which sooner or later, they fall into. The time they fall into this self made grave of theirs is actually the point unto which will affect them for the rest of their lives. They have 2 choices....

1. They realize that they were not conducting themselves correctly and change for the better.

2. They simply fall and live their lives gradually diminishing their good side....whats left of it at least..

So, as I see it..... they have it a lot worse and I'm happy and thankful that I am not that way and hope that one day they change. And it is because of this realization, that those people don't bother me, nor could they ever affect me.

A wise man once said "we as individuals make our own problems.... if one has a problem... it is simply because we chose to have that problem, not because of another individual.. therefore each person holds their own key to solve their own problem... its a matter of choice".

If you had a choice, would you let someone bring your spirits down or not? I choose not.

If I had a choice to smile or cry... I choose smile.

Pick your path, there are only 2 ways. This philosophy/way of thinking/rule, or whatever you'd like to call it, can be applied to everything in life and not just in cases like the one in your post.

Thanks Bingkee for the inspirational post.

Always,
Keleric

[ellumbra]

A lovely article Bingkee, strong & timely (for me especially,)- but coming from a good place, the best place - humility and love.
Like you say, humility is an attitude - it does not mean being less - it means being more, seeing more, understanding more. In such abundance there will always be something for us to "stand under" - always.
Thank you - I enjoyed your writing.

[Christopher]

I could NOT agree more...... true about how misery loves company that is soo true lol thanks for writing this entry :)

~ Christopher ~

http://cmarlow480.blogspot.com/

[Mel Avila Alarilla]

I think the best strategy here is to completely ignore them. Just like this guy who came into my BlogCatalog profile with a Blog entitled Beware of Scam- Philippines. When I read his post, he was gypped by somebody from Paranaque, Philippines. When his demand for the immediate return of his money from that company was met with silence, he attacked not only that company but the whole Philippines and the Filipinos. He had a running battle of brickbats with other Filipino bloggers. I wanted to make a comment against his shotgun style of complaining but I decided just to let go. I just deleted him from my list of friends and every time I see his name I just ignore it. There will always be people like that in the whole world. We will just be wasting our time if we still mind them. There are other more positive things to attend to. Anyway you have the guts to say what is in your mind. I respect that. Thanks for the post. God bless you always my friend.

[lisa]

naku sis you're right on target.. i used to agonized and tear my brains out on how to deal with crap from some people but I now know the best way to deal with them is to ignore them.

I don't understand why some people would take pleasure in taking down other people but I know I dont want to loose sleep over them.

I just keep reminding the kikay in me na I would get a new set of wrinkles if I keep thinking about these spiteful people.

[Muhammad Yaqoob]

I always like your unique postings. looking forward for more writings.

[love-ely]

The simple way is just ignore them. The more we care... the more they do.

Your friend,
love-ely

[Fennster]

Very well said, I couldn't have said it better myself.

[LucyLu]

I think of these people as ones with "crippled egos". They don't know who God made them to be. I really like your blog. God bless you.

[Ria]

Words in my head written into words by you...Thanks for this post! LOVED IT...wish I could spread this around to the morons in the office...harharhar....

[Preston]

Kill 'em with kindness, that's what I say. I always believed that you can't control what other people say and do, you can only control how you react to what they say and do.

[Kate]

You lift me up, Bingkee. God talks through you. Thank you for such a beautiful post.

[Scott]

Hi Bingkee,

Not much to add here except another EXCELLENT post. I recently went through a situation like this and the moment that I forgave it was like a huge weight was taken off of my chest.

Thanks,
Scott

[Beck]

;) lol i love ur post.. ;) i can sense the anger in here.. even tho u didnt say it straight but yeah.. i like ur post. I agree with what have u highlighted in there and.. yup.. nice one.. keep writing hun~ how u doing..? ;)

xoxox

[Bingkee]

BandagedKnees--Oh no , I am not angry while writing this. Nor I am angry at them. Maybe I wasn't clear about this post that my intent is to make other's feelings of "anger and sadness being treated harshly to change into something different. Instead think of them as stupid people not worthy of your resentment but people who should be forgiven and needs to be loved instead. I did not even imply I am angry at them.

[Christina]

Read your post a couple days ago, and wasn't going 2 comment. I felt anything I said would b redundant! But I'm reading it agn, thinking...a couple things crossed my mind at work yest., 2...when people get 2 me, I wish I could be unaffected by their attitudes, but I can't. What bothers me is, WHY am I bothered? I know many of these folks r beneath me, they r ungodly, ignorant (stupid?), etc., but despite my knowledge of Jesus Christ and who I am in His sight, and HOW I am in His sight, I still get angry and hurt by some of this other stuff.

Well, a couple of thoughts from Scripture...(I just used this one in a recent post) "Beware when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets." (Luke 6:26)

Also, when certain ones continually antagonize and I really can't take it anymore, I have to pull away from them if I can. You may have to stay in their space, but you can pull away internally, at least in some cases. It's tricky sometimes. When Jesus talked about your eye/hand offending you, to cut it off/pluck out (Matt.5: 29,30), He speaks of casting away from you something that is causing you a problem. I heard a preacher talk about this once. It was a different slant on this message,but it made sense...to me, anyway. My whole body doesn't "burn in hell" from anger, hurt, or resentment.

I guess this is another form of ignoring, but...it has helped me alot. Until I can forgive.