I’d never noticed before but he’s right. They’re using pity to control us.
The world has a massive double standard.
And it’s the difference in the reaction we get when we celebrate ourselves, and when we feel sorry for ourselves.
Imagine two scenarios.
In the first, you’re standing on the seats at the train station, pumping your chest like some kind of Conan the barbarian, singing your own praises.
“I am really good at my job. I am dependable friend. I am a loving and attentive father and I have nicely defined calf muscles.”
You’ll probably get locked up, right?
Now imagine you’re at the train station again, but you’re complaining about how hard your life is.
“My back is continually sore. My children never call me. I’m behind on my mortgage repayments and I can’t eat muffins any more because they give me gas.”
What happens? Probably nothing, right? It’s actually pretty normal.
We live in a world where self-pity and feeling sorry for yourself is totally normal, but feeling great about yourself and outwardly celebrating yourself is treated as strange, almost pathologic.
That’s an interesting double standard, right?
But let me ask you this. Which one of these is more useful to you – which one puts you in a better state of mind, is more attractive to be around, and helps you get more done with your days?
Self-worth or self-pity?
And let me also ask you which one is more useful to the powers that be? Which one makes you demotivated and compliant, de-energised and cynical, disempowered and apathetic?
Which one makes you a better cog in the machine?
Self-worth or self-pity?
This double-standard is not an accident.
You are not here to be small and I don’t want to hear you complaining about how hard your life is. Don’t give in like that.
Create a discipline around celebrating yourself – around recognising your strengths and allowing yourself to just feel good about yourself.
It’s a simple act.
But it’s one of the most revolutionary things we can do.