Andy Hairgrove

A number of years ago I had a two part epiphany.
 
1. Since I already knew the world had plenty of assholes, there was no reason for me to be surprised, angry or upset when my path crossed one.2. When someone appears to be an asshole one of two things is going on:

• First, this may simply be a good person having a bad day. If so, they don’t need me in their face.
• Or, this could be a genuine asshole who needs a can ‘o whoop-ass opened up on ‘em. But I don’t have to do it. They will come across another asshole and serve each other. Not my job.  

Simply understanding these two things has greatly enhanced my peace.

There is only ONE only way to deal with these people in a way that will make you happier instead of sadder. ONE WAY. And it always works. This is the most important part of the Emotional leg of the Daily Practice. COMPLETELY IGNORE THE EVIL PEOPLE:

• Completely ignore them.

• Don’t think about them.

• Don’t talk to them.

• Don’t write them.

• Most important: Don’t give them advice.

They will NEVER listen to your advice. It’s arrogant and stupid to think they will. It will only lead to  more cycles of pain for you. The goal for me is to stop all cycles that cause me any pain at all. Giving advice to crappy people will only result in more pain for you. That’s the only possible result. Much better to be happy than to flush knotted up brown advice down a toilet that caused you agony to push out. This is hard.

• Most important: Never gossip about them

behind their backs. Just completely disregard. We don’t care about their happiness or how evil they are. We only care about you. Its hard to do. Never ever talk about them behind their backs. Repeat this 500 times. This is hard also. Because it’s an addiction.

Via The Altucher Confidential