FOAS
FOAS is one of the main reasons that we stress out. Every bit of news, music, history, etc., etc., etc., whispers to us that we need to know all about them.
Fear Of Appearing Stupid starts early in life – “You didn’t know that? Even your baby brother knows that!!”.
And it never stops.
Elementary School -“You don’t know where Egypt is on a map?”
Middle School – “You never heard of the Bjbvle Band?”
High School – “You didn’t know about Mr. Jenn?”
College- “You never did XYZ or ZYX?”
The rest of your life… Just like school.
No one wants to be humiliated and no one handles humiliation well and so we try, unsuccessfully, to know a little bit about many things until we are so burdened with so many bits of information that we stress that some of it may be (horrors!) outdated.
OR
We just stop being around certain people like the people who we think know more than we do or the people who we think that they think we are stupid or the people who quiz us just to find our weakness and pretty soon…most people.
We say we are introverted. We say we are lonely. In reality we are just scared and afraid of FOAS.
So, what do we do? Hang around less intelligent people so we can appear smart by comparison? Hang around with people who are so impaired with alcohol or drugs that judgements fade quickly with shortened attention spans?
Maybe we get really passionate about one thing and hang around with like minds and collectively criticize all who are not us?
OR…
We get strong. We get humble. ( One of my teachers always said no one can humiliate a humble person). We see the insecurity in the know-it-alls and let it be.
We pursue and learn only those things that enhance our life and dreams. We learn the power of ignoring certain people. We learn to laugh at those who would laugh at us. We hold ourselves in high esteem for who we have become. We stay learners but we selectively learn.
We learn to control our insecurities (we all have them) and we welcome constructive criticism. We embrace this life. We constantly adjust the way we think. We know that FOAS has everything to do with our ego and nothing to do with our self worth. And we smile.
Sundrops On Life -Better Thoughts. Better Days.
(c)2020 All Rights Reserved, Patrick McBride
www.PatrickInspires.com
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