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| Bryan Kyed @bmkd |
Yeah I know. We all think we're great. Some of us venture further and assume they're the greatest. That's okay, as long as you keep it to yourself. Often, I catch myself comparing myself to others and find myself better. Well, a lot better, most times 😁. But it's my little secret. I don't announce it. In fact, I'm careful that no one notices, so I stay as low profile as possible. I'm seldom the life of a party.
That's why I'm a nonjoiner, in the first place. How to be likable. Click here.
There's this guy who wants to imagine himself as broad-minded and mature, but in our conversations he can't stop putting himself on a pedestal. He's got to have the smartest and last say on everything. So, we're in this meeting and he interrupts everyone who speaks, putting forward his opinions and ideas and coming nothing short of saying only his ideas are good.
Well, the others won't be outdone, so they each also try to prove their worth. So the meeting becomes a circus and I alone am left quietly watching and listening to their antics. It's the pits. Too bad I have no choice but to stay and finish the meeting. They prod me to show off, too, but I'm a nonjoiner. I let them have their day doing self-promotion and blah blah blah. However, the first greatest guy on earth wins in the end.
You see how the world is worsening when people become more self-centered. You're "smart" when you promote yourself unabashedly, and you're dumb if you just keep quiet and refuse to join the circus. People think you're talented and intelligent if you're talkative. I don't know how they came up with that standard. But me, I stay away from talkative and self-promoting people. I don't trust them.
And talking of trust, few people today are trustworthy. I was talking to my wife over lunch at SM North when I commented how people cannot be trusted anymore today. It was in response to her complaint how people she thought were her friends--with whom she was nice--back-stabbed her. "Well, life lesson number one," I said. " It's hard to trust people just like that."
To me it's settled a long time ago. A talkative, self-promoting guy is one you should keep an eye on. He's up to something and whatever it is, he plans to use you. After you're used, he dumps you, especially if he sees another more useful person. Is this being so negative? Nope. It's learning from life's lessons. I befriend lots of people but I'm so cautious.
The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. [Proverbs 12.26]
Pray for God's miracles. Click here.
However, I feel differently for some old folks who are lonely and looking for people who'd listen to their story. I often give them sincere, listening ears. They've lost a lot of friends and family--they're almost alone in life now--and they need someone to talk to. There are lots of them out there. If you find one, do take time to stop and listen.
However, I feel differently for some old folks who are lonely and looking for people who'd listen to their story. I often give them sincere, listening ears. They've lost a lot of friends and family--they're almost alone in life now--and they need someone to talk to. There are lots of them out there. If you find one, do take time to stop and listen.
There was this senior-citizen lawyer who lived at the corner of our street. He'd watch for me each time I bought lunch at a nearby street karenderia. He'd wave his hand and call whenever he caught a glimpse of me and he'd tell me stories--where he lived, his great hometown, his great career, friends, family, etc. I'm a bit disheartened when I learn that some folks like this don't even have their family available to listen to them.
He liked talking to me because he saw how I was a good listener. Later, I heard that he had died, somewhat intentionally doing everything that was harmful to his diabetes, because he had wanted to die--and he missed his dead wife terribly. These folks do not display their worth with their self-aggrandizing stories. They need to reminisce their good times with people who'd really listen before they leave this world.
By God's grace, I had that opportunity with my dad and mom. I spent quality time with them listening to their great stories, laughing, praying, and dreaming with them. I enjoyed early morning walks with dad while he told me stories of his youth. I spent lunch times with mom when she was alone and dad had died. I had private bible studies with them. I just listened to them intently, genuinely interested, without any arguments.
Before this I had been a quietly rebellious son, though I helped them a lot with house chores when I was in high school and college. Nonetheless, I wasn't in good terms especially with my dad. But God gave me a chance to make up, and did it for years before they died. The best way to display your worth is to listen quietly to people who are lonely and about to exit this world.
By God's grace, I had that opportunity with my dad and mom. I spent quality time with them listening to their great stories, laughing, praying, and dreaming with them. I enjoyed early morning walks with dad while he told me stories of his youth. I spent lunch times with mom when she was alone and dad had died. I had private bible studies with them. I just listened to them intently, genuinely interested, without any arguments.
Before this I had been a quietly rebellious son, though I helped them a lot with house chores when I was in high school and college. Nonetheless, I wasn't in good terms especially with my dad. But God gave me a chance to make up, and did it for years before they died. The best way to display your worth is to listen quietly to people who are lonely and about to exit this world.
