A Piece of Humble Pie

(Photo credit: webdonuts.com)

I think everywhere we go, there will be at one point in our lives, a brush with some individuals who think they are God’s greatest gift to humanity. I have been enduring the company of these people for so long now that I know my way around them. I have learned the art of filtering what I hear from these people when they start their “Oh-I’m-so-fabulous” mantra. The moment they open their mouths, I already know the various egotistical remarks to follow. So, I switch to “deaf” mode. Sometimes, I imagine holding a remote control with a mute button and press it so hard so I don’t hear a single word they say. It works!

That's the power of imagination.

I thought I was relieved of that experience when I left the Philippines. I am so surprised to know that there are more in this place than one can ever imagine. They are multiplying by the hundred. I have to practice the art of “ignoring” once again. There is no certain cure for conceited people. I am not sure whether it is genetic or a mind-set. Whatever it is, there is a way to make your life as pleasing as possible when you are in the presence of these mighty people. Here are some tips I have learned on how to deal with them.

1. Ignore them now and ignore them in the future.

Once you start listening to their “I’m-so-great-you-have-to-pay-attention-to-me” then you’re sucked in. Learn to ignore them from the very start. Excuse yourself from the conversation or fake a dash to the nearest comfort room. That works like a charm!

2. Do not initiate a conversation that will only give them a chance to boast about themselves.

I try not to ask how their day has been or I’ll regret ever opening my mouth. If simple pleasantries are hard to avoid, just nod your head when you pass each other along the corridor. If they start the conversation first, just give a quick answer and do not prolong. Your goal is to get away from the situation as fast as you can before they can get the chance to brag and tell their accomplishments from childhood to present.

3. Turn a deaf ear.

Say to yourself, “I’m not hearing a thing.” Repeat again and again and again…

4. Do not associate yourself with them.

It is easy to spot them, you just have to listen and then you’ll know. When you are in a party or no matter where the location is, pay close attention to the conversation. As soon as you hear the egotistical remarks, run away and never come back. Now, it is easy for you to not associate yourself with them because you know it already. Believe me, I know some who drives me nuts with their stories about themselves that I literally pry myself away from them. Last time I checked, communication was (and still is) a two-way street. Remember that.

5. Burst their bubbles.

Okay, this one is a bit tricky. I will not suggest you do this unless you are the brazen kind. Doing this will only invite more enemies and trouble for you especially if you pull this one-off in the office. However, if you want to put these egotistical maniacs to planet Pluto, then do so. Sometimes it pays to be bold than cringe and suffer in silence.

6. Lastly, bake them a “humble pie.”

In short, pray for them. Their being conceited may just be a defense mechanism to hide their insecurities. So they highlight the insignificant things to cover those up. Yes, pray for them. They may just be troubled deep inside and who is better to understand them but YOU.

If you don’t know how to deal with them, you’ll just find yourself frustrated and even angry. Don’t let them get into your nerves. They’re not worth the time, effort and emotion.

Daily Survival Kit

I got this from a friend's forwarded email and could not let the day pass without sharing. It's really something to note of. So, whenever you are feeling blue and a little bummed, just remember this post of mine and hopefully I can give a smile on your face.

Today, I am giving you a

DAILY SURVIVAL KIT

to help you each day............

Toothpick ... to remind you to pick the good qualities in everyone,including yourself.

Rubber band ... to remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but it can be worked out.

Band-Aid ... to remind you to heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else's.

Eraser ... to remind you everyone makes mistakes. That's okay, we learn by our errors.

Candy Kiss ... to remind you everyone needs a hug or a compliment everyday.

Mint ... to remind you that you are worth a mint to your family & Me.

Bubble Gum ... to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything.

Pencil ... to remind you to list your blessings every day.

Tea Bag ... to remind you to take time to relax daily and go over that list of God's blessings.

This is what makes life worth living every minute, every day

Wishing you love, gratitude, friends to cherish, caring, sharing, laughter, music, and warm feelings in your heart.

Just say No

I don't understand why it's so easy to say "yes" in all occasion for any favor asked but too difficult to refuse one. This is one perplexing phenomenon of human nature - saying no.

Family and friends often tell me I just can't say no to anything and I always get in trouble for that. I thought I'd never learn until this one instance in the office that really pulled my last nerve. I will not go into detail and it was nothing really serious that would result to a "pink-slip-on-your-table-the-next-day (wink!). I was just being a good Samaritan to someone who needed help and ended up being blamed for the mistake and the boss would not hear any from me. The term you call for that is scapegoat (yes! Poor, nice me...) Talk about tough luck. After that incident, I taught myself to evaluate things first and then say no if I would get in trouble. I felt a little awkward at first because deep inside I knew I wanted to "genuinely" (I stress that) offer my aid but I would often pause and think million times whether I should open my mouth and utter "yes." I think swiftly before the adrenalin rush get the better of me and right there and then, the word comes out - no. I did it! I finally said it! Wow! It felt great and somehow a thorn is taken away from me. The first few seconds after saying that is the weird part because you see the reaction of the other person. I need not explain why I had to say no because it's my prerogative.

I am still the ever helpful and dependable person that I am but more wise. I still go out of my way to offer my assistance to people who "genuinely" need it. In the office, I am more guarded because predators are out there to get you. They ask for your help and when you do engage yourself to lend a helping hand, they bite you. They make you clean up their mess like how Pontius Pilate washed his hands after sending Jesus to the cross. It's so unfair to people like me who loves to help others. I get duped in the process.

So, I don't regret learning how to say no. Actually, it's one of the best things I have learned in life so far. I have to say no sometimes for "self-preservation" lest I become a prey. I still believe in the cosmic power of karma. I know that He knows my sincerity when I help people and I'll stick to that. However, while some people (with ulterior motives!) are still plotting to enlist my assistance, here's what I have to say: No, Laa, Nein, Non, Nao, Geen, Het, Ingen, Nahi, Hindi. Comprendo?