Tell us one thing you hope people say about you.
Raj, hurt by defamation from colleagues, sought solace in a park to vent his anger. Initially misunderstood as aloof, he eventually became well-regarded due to his modesty and hard work. This story highlights the dangers of judgment and the importance of evaluating individuals based on their true qualities rather than gossip.
He was agitated and sad. Circumambulating with wide paces on the lawn of a small park, he was in a monologue, waving his hand in a gesture of hitting someone imaginary. His paces and his body language were announcing that he was badly hurt.
He needed time to become composed before anyone’s approach. Knowing well that people would ask about his situation, he left the place he was in and came to this Park to vent out his indignation. After wandering for a while and thinking aloud, his paces started becoming shorter, and his speed was also slowed down. Though Raj looked better and calmed, but visibly hurt. It would take time to recoup his normal cool form.
The situation Raj was in is not uncommon. People slander others sometimes out of jealousy because of others’ success or popularity or sometimes just to draw pleasure is frequent. It is a favourite pastime of someone to defame and slander one’s opponent or a successful and popular colleague.
Backbiting and slandering is a trait shown by a weak personality. Sometimes, it is seen as leg pulling to get leverage on the work front. The superiors sometimes use this trait as a tool to extract information about a person or his behaviour and also the happenings. The obsequious subordinates, for their petty parochial gain play in their hands.
It needs to be understood that backbiting doesn’t pay. It is the competency, diligence and hard work that matters. Those who try to take advantage by scathing or defamation live in a fool’s paradise. Thinking to get advantage by defaming a person sometimes turns damaging. It is not difficult to understand that one who is whispering about others would not do the same for the one whom one is whispering to.
Mediocre, having comparatively less affluence, scathe and blame others for their misfortune, deliberately ignoring their fault. It is often observed in social relationships as well as in workplaces. The relatives are often seen taming jealousy for no reason.
The tendency to judge is another thing often seen among people. Judging unilaterally without considering the other side of the picture is considered their right. Judging is taken for granted and treated as a matter of fact. This, though, is not justified, but people do it recklessly. It sometimes tarnishes the image of those they are talking about.
One comes across many occasions when people’s judgement proves wrong. It often happens in relationships. Both partners try to demean and judge during commotion and do not spare each other. They abuse, curse and scath forgetting that both share a common bond. It is an ugly situation. Both give tall claims about their intellect and prudence, ignoring that it takes two to tango, and both can’t be correct. If both are correct, there should have been no argument. This ends up in a compromise, which is yet another unpleasant situation. In a compromise, the subjugated one has to surrender completely just to keep a calm. In a relationship, this is a painful situation and gives rise to another complexity, which is the acceptance of the pervicacious behaviour of one over the other. This leads to suppression and suffocation. Some accept it as their fate and feel asphyxiated. This can’t be an ideal situation.
In the outer ring of society, judgemental people often prove wrong. Coming back to Raj. Raj was infuriated. He had come to know that one of his colleagues had said some unpalatable and defamatory personal things based on his judgment. Incapable of giving a befitting reply Raj became furious and vented out his indignation by doing what he did in the park.
Raj is a modest and simple person. He is introverted by nature and mostly avoids mixing with others. He remains aloof and talks less. People who haven’t met him believe the unilateral concocted stories woven by crooked people who draw pleasure in it. Raj never did harm to any, nor does he interfere in anyone’s affair, but he often hears ludicrous comments about him from others. They used to call him airy, haughty and high-headed who considered himself superior to others and did not want to mix up with others. Needless to say, such comments are nothing but an old wife’s tale.
Later those who used to judge Raj became more than acquaintances. Frequent dialogue started between them. With time, they came closer to the extent of friendship. The critics became admirers of Raj. He was not airy and haughty but had become a nice, simple and modest person. Why the change of heart is not difficult to understand.
The misjudged opinions about Raj were the reason. Based on the figment of imagination the critics created an image of Raj and circulated it as a true narrative. People who love gossip help disseminate the fake adjectives about Raj. They felt ashamed and sought an apology.
The opinion about Raj was changed. He was now known for his good qualities, diligence, intelligence and the power of expression. People now equivocal about his good qualities and they talk about him positively. As has been said, Raj is a good person who possesses the qualities people are now talking about.
It is necessary to evaluate a person objectively without any bias. Good qualities of the person need to be highlighted and criticism should be constructive, creative and healthy. People forget bad things but they remember a person for his good qualities.
A person longs for a good reputation and wishes to be remembered as noble. Nevertheless, a person would be considered good if his good qualities outnumber the not-so-good ones. If a person needs to be honest in his evaluation, the person concerned should also need to behave properly. By and large, Raj is being talked about for his above-listed qualities, polite behaviour, decent dress code, awareness about national and international happenings, and analytical power. Raj has earned his reputation by his work, conduct and demeanour. It is the outcome of his hard work and consistency.
-END-
Leave a Reply