Up Stream

I'm pretty sure if I were a fish it wouldn't be an issue. That, and the law of gravity makes things quite difficult.

Perhaps the bigger dreams in my life never actually manifest because of my consistent goal/desire to avoid problems and making people upset. I find myself saying less and less these days. If I speak too much, there's a much greater chance of putting my foot in my mouth. This may be a reason why I've gravitated toward online journal/blog writing. When I speak in a blog, I'm not judged. I'm not contradicted. I don't feel fear. I'm not constantly worried about retribution. I'm allowed to be pretty honest.

Honesty is a great thing, though what I desire more is something I refer to as candor. There's a difference. Candor is usually solicited, objectively constructive, helpful, and loving. I'm pretty content with my ability to empathize with others and use candor.

And then there are THOSE people. Everyone knows THOSE people! The ones who openly celebrate how 'honest' they are. The ones who insult you, then get immediately defensive stating meekly, "I'm sorry but I'm just being honest." It always baffled me...who in their right mind consciously desires conflict and confrontation? I sure as hell don't derive any joy from battles. Arguments and debates don't make me feel better about myself. Is it the 'high' people are attracted to from being 'right'? At the end of the day, asserting that righteous indignation must just be more pleasurable than anything. The feeling of power!

Smug Ass: "I'm right, you're wrong. I win!"

I guess it's inevitable that these people exist. Unfortunately they don't live in caves, isolated from society. We all have to put up with them, and that's really what the problem is. As much as I try to ignore and eradicate these people from my world they always have a way of showing up again. They seem to desire people like me that won't question them, and just say "yes" to everything they say. Of course I'm insincere to someone like that! They walk all over people! They don't deserve even an ounce of my honesty! You want to know why everyone hides their opinions around you? Because you, sir, are a fucking prick.

When someone goes "I love baseball!" I don't instantly shoot back, "OMG Fuck sports!" It's true I don't give a shit about them, but so what? They aren't for me to enjoy then!

My wish is for more people to read Dale Carnegie's "How To Win Friends and Influence People," and put those principles into practice. I'm sick of so many people out there acting so selfish and manipulative around me. If you call someone out in public on some trivial piece of information that they may have gotten wrong, then go fuck yourself. Seriously, go right ahead. And preferably away from us in a cave somewhere, where only the trolls dwell.

Rest assured though, they are all 'honest' people!