Huge lesson for me and everyone.
About 20 years ago, there was this kid I used to make fun of. All simply because he behave like a weeb. I don’t care enough if he watches and enjoy anime, cause I do too. But to behave like an anime character? Yeah there’s where I draw the line.
I never physically bully him for it. All I did was insulting him, shaming him, and called him a sore loser that have no bright future. One day, he couldn’t stand it, and he made a bet that 20 years from then, he will be having lots of friends, famous, married, and outstanding career, all while “being himself as a weeb”. He said with my judgemental attitude, I will be the sore loser in the future and a failure. So I’m like, yeah, sure I’ll bet on that.
20 years passed and oh man…
He is miserable. He doesn’t have a job. He has no friends. He’s lost on what to do in his life.
Me? I have a great career, I’m married and have 2 kids, bought 2 houses, and have great quality circle of friends.
I don’t care if I’m petty, but I’ve waited 20 years to see if what he said is true. Turns out to be the total opposite.
No worries, he’s about to start his first day at a job next week in my company I built. I don’t bully him anymore. But I’ll make sure he’ll grow out of his shell. I want to see him improve.
Lesson here is that, when someone criticize you, take a moment to see if it’s true. If it’s true, take the criticism to be better. Having a big ego doesn’t get you anywhere.