A story about a girl...

Why are people arrogant and rude? What is really their problem? I would like to discuss this topic today because I believe it will give others a great insight. So open up the Book of Life to the chapter on Hidden Identities and we shall begin today’s lesson…
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Let us take a look into the life of a young girl who is arrogant, rude, and constantly negative towards others. Why is she like this? What made her into this person? I do not like to reveal the source of this story so from this point on, we shall refer to the girl simply with a “<” or “less-than” symbol.

< was a pretty, young, energetic girl full of life and optimism for the future. Her energy was contagious and you could not help but to be cheerful and happy when around her. She had boundless enthusiasm and would participate in anything, always spreading her joy wherever she went. < was the type of girl you would instantly become friends with and look up to. Gradually, she began to change and did not notice it herself at first. Little things would get in the way of her cheerful optimism and it was as though a dark cloud had covered her heart for a fraction of a second. Nevertheless, she always bounced back, happy as always. Slowly, this dark cloud grew bigger and bigger and the fuel was her own insecurity – insecurity that started at home.

They say crime, like charity, begins at home. It goes the same for insecurity. < was a different girl, not like those in her classes – tall, slim, clear-skinned. She had always thought herself to be normal but snide little hints passed at the dinner table by her parents and brother slowly ate away at her confidence. It started with her looks; she was too fat, had bad skin, and was ugly. It eventually made its way to her mental confidence: she was stupid; she was not the best in her class; she was average. <’s self confidence deteriorated to the point where she was not sure who really cared for her and the classic Stockholm Syndrome took place – she looked at her family as the only people who truly loved her because they put up with her faults and < was afraid no one else would.

She began to lash out, her optimism turning into negativity and rudeness. Anger consumed her heart as Pride took the place of Humility. She did not trust anyone for fear of being laughed at. The carefree attitude was replaced by arrogance and the belief that others were below her – that way, she would feel a sense of belonging and importance. It destroyed her to the point where she began to lose all her friends due to her arrogance. She was annoyed at the slightest things and back-talked anyone who cared to disagree with her points. She was called many names and, strangely, became proud of the names as a sign of terror and fear she instilled upon others. In actuality, others hated her for what she turned into – a rude, arrogant, selfish person. < knew that something was not right with her and dealt with it by becoming more defensive about her actions. She wanted to stop, but this was a self-destructive spiral and she felt helpless.

She hated what she had become and prayed everyday to make this feeling go away. She would start the day thinking, “Today is the day. I will change myself” but right away, began to undermine the authority of her elders and made fun of others, believing they were inferior to her. She did not like what she had become but she did not know how to stop. So she kept going, hating her self more and more each day, her ego fueled by her insecurities perpetuated by her family. People tried to explain to her that she was out of line, but she ignored them, fully aware that they were only voicing the thought she had at night. She was not able to let her emotions and thoughts out and they slowly ate away at her heart, making her seem cold and cruel.

< became so frustrated with her life one day, she hurt the one person who loved her the most and lost a best friend – the person who had always been there for her. She realized that this needed to stop and sought help. By listening to her conscience, she learned that sometimes, silence is the best thing. Simply observing others and not judging is the best way to reduce one’s ego and arrogance…

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And this is where the story ends. I cannot tell you how it ends because <’s life is not yet over – she has a long way to go before she can truly be happy with herself. One question that I hope crossed your mind was the reason why I decided to call her “<”. The symbol stands for less-than. Realize, though, that it can be turned around to be read as “greater than”. Similarly, she realized that she can turn herself around and be better than what she has been – help others and become a more peaceful person. But the one moral of the story that I hope you learned is never to judge a person by their attitude – you never know what lies beneath. You don’t know me and you will never know me until you talk to me. I’d like to end with some lyrics that inspired me. They taught me that you have to appreciate who you truly are for others to appreciate you for who you are too.

“God gave you the shoes that fit you, so put em on and wear em. And be yourself man, be proud of who you are. Even if it sounds corny, don't ever let no one tell you, you ain't beautiful” - Eminem