A few things I realized over the years about people and human behaviour.

A few things I realized over the years about people and human behaviour. I personally find it fascinating, and I’d like to share a few ideas with you…

People don't like criticism. Yeah, I get it. Who truly does? Only those who have acquired a strong character. It takes a lot of strength to listen to someone criticize your person or your work. But, if you don't take criticism, how are you going to live through life? How will you ever learn or get better? Since people aren’t infallible, listening to criticism is always a good exercise. Listening doesn’t mean you will agree with what others are telling you. But listening isn’t going to kill you. So, you might as well listen, you could end up learning something. Anyway, life is about constant, and regular criticism.

People think they love freedom of speech until someone says something they don't agree with or something they don't like. People feel entitled to say whatever they want to say but hey, “don’t you say something that goes against my views, values or principles”. Oh, calm the fuck down! Everyone has the right to say whatever they want to say. If you don’t like what you’re hearing, ignore it and keep it moving. Why raise your blood pressure? I am sure you got more important things to do than restricting other people’s right to express themselves. And if you try censoring people, you’re just showing your own fragility. Do not be fragile. Be strong. Let others speak! You could learn something from others because you don’t know everything and perhaps, maybe, your ideas aren’t necessarily the best ones!

People tend to take things personally, when they truly shouldn't, especially when those things don't concern them. People do this way too often. Calm down, people! There is rarely a personal attack out there! When someone attacks you or singles you out, then it is personal. But if someone says they don’t like your team, your neighbourhood, religion, school, yes, you will feel a natural inclination to jump up and defend your group. But is it worth it? What is the price of doing that? Mostly, it is a waste of time because this era has created a billion trolls, people who love messing with people. So, how do you want to spend your time? Fighting people that you don’t know because they said something completely worthless, or harnessing your energy and time to learn how to avoid pointless fights? The latter is way easier!

People judge easily and condemn quickly and harshly instead of chilling and calming down. A rush to judgment is always a bad idea. If you don't get the full picture, how can you judge a situation fairly? If you only get one side of the story, how can you say you understand what’s going on? Technically, you can’t and you wouldn’t be fair. What if that one side you listened to exclusively is taking you for a ride? Newsflash: people lie! Yes, they do! Some people would rather lie than tell the truth because they are being devious, hurt, or because the truth is harder to deal with when it actually isn’t. So, get the full picture and then make an informed decision.

People don't like questions. Why? I think answering questions is way harder than asking them. Moreover, answering questions might require truth telling, being vulnerable or even admit fault. Besides, the answers might prompt more questions, which will require more answers and so on. Maybe answering questions might make you look like a fool. By the way, some people simply don’t want or like answering questions, as it is their right to do so! However, in my humble opinion, people who don’t want to answer, usually have something to hide. And I am not talking about state secrets; they simply are afraid of opening Pandora’s box and allow all the other questions to flood the environment.

So many people don't have the capacity to understand irony, satire, metaphors, and so many others don't have one milligram of sense of humour. Now, that’s just sad. Life is way more fun when you laugh at it. So many situations are fundamentally comical and funny instead of being morose, murky, and sad. Additionally, there can be something fun in sadness. Let’s be honest, let’s be real, if you take everything seriously, you won’t make it. That’s just a fact of life. Learn to laugh at your own mistakes, pain, sorrow, and condition. There is nothing wrong with that.

Some people think their views and opinions are so awesome that they should be law, and they should never be criticized! Word?!! How full of yourself are you? What gave you the certainty that your ideas, views and opinions are the best? It’s as if you know all, and you even know what’s the best course of action. Seriously? You have that type of power? Actually, you do not. Sit down and relax. Your ideas might be good, but they could never be the best. And even if they are, how are you going to impose them on others? Who the hell do you think you are? Surely, you have a superiority complex, otherwise you wouldn’t be bothering people. Sit down and relax for crying out loud!

People give words too much power, man! I believe it to my core. Once you give words, any word, way too much power, you will become a prisoner of those words. You will get triggered by those words, and you won’t even follow the rest of the conversation. Case in point; I recently wrote a text that had 230 words in it and the word “fuck” was mentioned 3 times. People lost their mind because I was criticizing a school. If you lose your mind because of a word mentioned 3 times, there is a problem, a tremendous one. You mean to tell me the word “fuck” cancels the whole text? The whole meaning? Really? Come on, people! Don’t lose your mind that easily because of a word. Otherwise, you’re teaching people what words to use, so they can rattle you and make you angry, instead of seeing the whole picture. Learn to manage your emotions around words!

One last thing… People expect and sometimes demand respect, applause, and acceptance. Really? How do you require that? What did you do that requires all that? Why do you expect people to see things as you do? And why should people do that for you? What if what you did wasn’t that awesome? And let’s say it is awesome. Where do you get the arrogance of requiring people to answer the way you want them to? Let me ask you a question; if someone doesn't offer you all that, what are you going to do? I'll tell you: not a damn thing! Stop expecting things emanating from other people. Just do what you think is right, and you might just get all those things you seem so obsessed with. And if you don’t get anything, continue your work. The world doesn’t owe you anything, you better remember that.

Just one man’s opinion.

Now smile and go on with your day!

Freeman Binagana.