Sunday, October 31, 2010

Some people can be so mean. Do you ever wonder why some people say the things they say? Or do the things they do? I don't know if I'm just really sensitive or if people are just extra mean to me, but sometimes I sit and wonder why the people of this world can be so cruel.

Lately I have been feeling extra hurt and I decided to read a book that has been collecting dust on my bookshelf. Anyway, I thought I'd share a short section from this awesome book, called Don't Be Sad.

How to deal with bitter criticism

"You will always have to face criticism, which in its onslaught is like an interminable war: it shows no sign of ending. As long as you shine, give, produce, and have an effect upon others, then disapproval and condemnation will be your lot in life. Until you escape from people by finding a tunnel in the ground or a ladder leading to the sky, they will not desist from censuring you, from finding fault in your character. For that reason, as long as you are from the denizens of earth, expect to be hurt, to be insulted, and to be criticized.

And here is something you should contemplate: a person who is sitting on the ground does not fall, and people do not kick a dead dog. Therefore their anger toward you can be attributed to you surpassing them in righteousness, knowledge, manners, or wealth. In their eyes you are a transgressor whose wrongs cannot be atoned for unless you abandon your talents and strip yourself of all praiseworthy qualities, so that you become stupid, worthless, and to them, innocuous. This result is exactly what they want for you.

So remain firm and patient when facing their insults and criticism. If you are wounded by their words and let them have an influence over you, you will have realized their hopes for them. Instead, forgive them by showing them the most beautiful of manners. Turn away from them and do not feel distressed by their schemes. Their disapproval of you only increases you in worth and merit.

Verily, you will not be able to silence them, but you will be able to bury their criticisms by turning away from them and dismissing what they have to say.

`Perish in your rage '. (Qur 'an 3: 119)

In fact, you will be able to increase them in their rage by increasing your merits and developing your talents.

If you desire to be accepted by all and loved by all, you desire the unattainable."

5 comments:

Kate said...

True, true and more true. Thanks for the reminder. Some day's it's just hard.

Rationality said...

Mrs collen I almost talked about the same topic.
great minds think alike :)
So true. And folks solely throw the fruitful trees.
loved your words and thoughts

Farnnay said...

i think some people are mean to certain individuals because those ppl let them get away with it. Or at least thats how it is in my situation. Sometimes I wish I had thick skin and a backbone.

supreem said...

so interesting. I think some people are mean because they're just so bored... :x

EmptyWords said...

I truly, truly believe that most people are mean for two reasons: to gain power over you or they really dont mean it in an insulting way but they just dont know how to deal with that situation or person...