Assume Stupidity Not Malice
When things do not go the way you expect, do you blame other people?
Do you sometimes assume that other people are evil? Wicked? Bad? Crazy? Insane?
Can you really know if the person that you blame is evil? Could it be, rather, that this person is merely ignorant or confused, or maybe even struggling with personal issues?
Assuming malice regarding,
- Corporations
- Your Landlord
- The US President
- A Political Party, or any political system
- Any religion (e.g., Catholicism)
- Any race of people (e.g. blacks, Arabs, Jews)
- Any economic system (e.g., communism, socialism, capitalism)
- Any conspiracy theory group (e.g, Illuminati, CIA)
- Your mother, your father
is counterproductive, and merely frames you as being a victim.
Protect your happiness. Recognize that all instances of reality not turning out as your expect is merely the result of confusion; that is, either your personal confusion or the confusion of others.
August 3rd, 2007 at 8:37 pm
You’ve hit the nail on the head with this post. I have seen so many people blame others for decisions they have made or because situations didn’t work out in their favour. The moment I realized that dwelling on things that are out of my control only results in frustration and that I should just focus on the things I can control, I became a happier person. Open communication is so important to happy relationships.
August 6th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Well done, Miguel.