How to deal with annoying people

I see by your journal that some kids at school get on your nerves...

It's very important to realize that it takes two people to create a "situation". The two parts of the situation are "what they do" and "what you do".

It's very difficult to control "what they do" so don't waste your energy there. On the other hand, It's in your power to control "what you do" so that's where your energy should go.

Now, how to prevent someone from annoying you. The simple answer would be: "Don't get annoyed." but I know you would be disgusted with that answer even though it is the truth.

As you already know, it's not always that the person is actually TRYING to annoy you, but sometimes they really ARE trying. Let's forget the people who just annoy you without knowing they are and concentrate first on the people who are deliberately doing things to irritate you.

You can play offense or defense when someone attacks you. If you are sure you can top them, then you can counter-attack. (I am using "ugly" in my examples, but it applies to any insult.)

For example, if they say you are ugly, you smile and say, "Thanks! I trust your judgement!" If they try to keep it going by saying something like, "What's that supposed to mean?" then you say, "I just meant that someone who looks like you should be an expert on ugliness."

Notice that you don't use the lame counter-attack of "Well, you are ugly, too!" and yet the final result is the same thing, except with you being the one smiling and they being the one getting angry. Score one for you.

Another counterattack is more ironic. They say, "You are ugly." You say, "I am? Gee, thanks for telling me. You're a really nice person. I might have lived my whole life and never known that. Thank you."

That's a few examples of offense, but you can also play defense. The best defense is a pre-emptive strike. When you see an insult coming from someone, you get a compliment out to them first. "You look great today! I like that shirt!" It will be very difficult for them to insult you right after you compliment them. It's important to be very sincere and not give the impression that you don't mean it.

In fact, just by complimenting everybody, you could easily find yourself with tons of new friends and winning the class presidency. It's ridiculous for a person of your abilities not to take full advantage of them. Quit worrying about what you think people think and start actively making them think what you want them to think. You have enough energy to achieve anything.

Oh, and depression? The only cure is activity. In fact, what is the biggest symptom of a depression? You don't accomplish anything! So the very simple cure for being depressed is DO SOMETHING! Anything. Take a walk. Jump up and down. Start laughing like a maniac. Write. But DO NOT EAT! That's the way fat people cure depression. Don't go there, girlfriend! Do homework. Call a friend.

I haven't been depressed in ages. It's so easy to have it all! Hahahahaha! No, seriously! Hahahahaha!