If you haven’t already figured out the pattern, Tuesday is psychology day. Mostly cause I have my theories of personality class today at 10am and the teacher always leaves me with many thoughts.

I decided that one of the most important tools to have in a relationship is the “it’s not about me” thought process. This doesn’t only apply to romantic relationships. It works with parent-child, friend-friend, worker-boss or any other scenario you can imagine.

Here’s how it works: while the opposite party is reaming you a new ass for having failed at such and such, you mentally repeat the words “it’s not about me” over and over again. After a while, it becomes easy to do and easy to believe.

The thing is, in most cases, it’s not about you. Think of the times you yell at someone. Are you really yelling at that person cause they did something bad? I believe we tend to yell at the person who we think will let us. If I’m really pissed off one day at work, I come home and yell at Jake over a set of dishes. It’s not because the dishes are so important but I need to get this anger out of my system and I know Jake will let me vent and get it over with.

Same thing at work. Your coward boss yells at you cause he can’t yell at his boss. Your mom screams over something stupid cause she was really stressed or worried about something totally different and hopefully something much more legitimate.

Obviously, you can now use this knowledge to make sure you never yell at an undeserved person. (Not that anyone deserves being yelled at, it accomplishes nothing. If you need to get it out of your system, it’s often a better idea to yell at the walls or sing loudly or do something physical, like exercise.) Next time you make a mountain out of something tiny, try and think of the repressed root of your anger and work on resolving that instead of creating more unnecessary problems.

As for when you’re being yelled at, try the “it’s not about me” technique and when things are calm, remind your loved one or your friend or your boss that no one has the right to yell at another human being.

Ok, done being psychologist for this week.

Previously? Disappearing Act.

I’ve always been blamed for being too nice. Too many so-called friends have stepped all over me. But I kept assuming the best of humankind. I insisted on trusting (in a non-naïve way) and giving. It’s not so easy to become my friend, but once you do, I will forever be there for you.

All my friends have told me that this attitude towards others will bring me nothing but pain. While it’s true that I get disappointed and hurt often, I also receive the advantages of having a true friend and a trustworthy companion. It’s amazing how magical a relationship becomes once both parties are non-cynical and open.

So, over the years, I’ve consistently chosen to love with all my heart over being protective and distant. When in doubt I’ve given unexpectedly. I don’t mean to say that I’m an angel. I make mistakes. I hurt people. I say stupid things. But I always try to be the best I can be and I always try to assume the best of people with whom I haven’t previously interacted.

I get bitter when hurt and I get angry, but I know that I’d still rather be me than a selfish bastard. Maybe cause I can sleep better this way. I’ve continually struggled with the idea of how I could be selfish. So have Six and Owen, I think. And somehow I’ve always come around to realize that this is the way I was built and this is the only way I can live with myself.

It all made sense when my psychology teacher started talking about Adler. Adler had this theory, which says that every human feels inferior as a child. So we, humans, compensate by striving to be the best we can be. Trying to be better than others happens when this feeling is perverted. And Adler says that if you’re selfish, then you’re neurotic.

Now, that, I like!

Previously? Shitty Manners.