Sam+C's+Op-Ed+Article



media type="file" key="samc-muckrakers-2012.mp3"

Dear self-important people,

This is addressed to all the condescending, proud people of the world. This is addressed to all the arrogant people of the world. This is to all the people who feel the need to brag about every single accolade and accomplishment. This is to all the people who whine and complain about stress and lengthy to-do lists to garner attention and sympathy from anyone forced to listen to them. This to all the people who need constant attention from peers to validate their successes. You are the people that really bother me and make me cringe. No one likes hearing about how hard your life is and how stressed you are. Do you think you have the most difficult and stressful life ever? Do you think people don’t go through the same things you do every day? Do you think anyone wants to hear about your terrible life? There is no need for your complaining that everyone knows is actually thinly veiled bragging and continuous whining. If you really are so special, people will figure out without you reminding them every chance you get. The more you boast, the less impressed everyone is with your accomplishments. No one is impressed with your accomplishment after hearing you gripe about it every step of the way. Hearing your persistent groaning and moaning undermines your accomplishments that could be impressive. Would people be impressed with Abraham Lincoln’s success with keeping the Union together if he had walked around talking about it incessantly while trying to get compliments from anyone who would listen? When Meryl Streep goes up to accept one of her umpteenth awards, she still acts surprised and humbled. When people accept awards and give 5 minute acceptance speeches, it feels as if they’re milking their time for every last second in the limelight because they think they won’t be back. Humility, not conceit, will make your accomplishments all the more impressive. By the time you finish your task that we’ve all heard so much about, I‘m so irritated that it doesn’t mean much anymore. No one likes a braggart or an attention seeker. Act like you’ve been there before. People will be more impressed if it seems like your great accomplishments are just commonplace for you. So to all the arrogant, attention seeking braggarts out there, learn some humility. Have some confidence, but not cockiness. Learn to achieve without bragging and boasting. Don’t subject me to round of complaining that your day is packed with having to rescue kittens from trees and curing cancer.

Sincerely,

Sam Champagne