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For When the World Is Against You

The military, a stranger in a foreign land, anywhere where you are the odd man out. What do they all have in common? Well in all three instances, you are either in or being prepared to enter a hostile environment.

Often times, quite often actually, you will encounter individuals that are not so kind to you. And they are going to say things that may not be to your liking. The question then becomes, can you handle it?

There are 8 billion people in the world and most of them have something to say. And what they have to say may not be to your taste. So is it going to bother you? Will they get under your skin? Will what they say negatively effect your decision making ability? Will they get into your head?

Because one thing is for sure. you are not silencing 8 billion people. Even the lowliest person in the world has a mouth, it is the one weapon everyone has. And if you attempt to expend all your energy fighting and arguing, you are lost. Few would argue with me when I say that it is unwise to argue with a drill sergeant if he says something ‘mean’ to you or if a hostile crowd in a sports stadium taunts you.

The Key To An Effective Response

So what should be the proper response? Two word. Thick skin.

Know that whatever people say, it is just a matter of them moving their mouths because that’s all the power they have. Just like in a sports stadium, a member of the crowd can not enter the playing field and physically alter the outcome of the game. All they can do is stand on the sidelines and shout profanities. But ultimately, you are the one standing in the court, you are the man in the arena, facing your opposition, whether that be a competitor or your own inner demon.

That opponent is the only one that can stop you. And the millions (billions) standing on the sidelines can only make noise. So treat the hostile throngs for what they truly are, a distraction…

And ignore them.

Kingston S. Lim

August 18, 2021

Freetown, Sierra Leone

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About Kingston’s Journey Series: Kingston’s Journey is a lifelong series. This is the travel journal I take with me. Whether you have questions such as how to change my life or how to travel the world, I think you’ll find value in the life lessons I’ve experienced and documented in this travel notebook. They may serve as travel inspiration for you. In Chinese, there is a saying, “讀萬卷書,不如行千里路.”

This means, instead of reading ten thousand books, why don’t you walk a thousand miles. This is my inspiration to travel every nation (or as many as possible) in my pursuit of my global MBA by learning as much as possible and recording these life lessons learned only by travel. In the end, I think the achievement of dreams, personal growth & aspirations out there through travel and adventure will lead to a more fulfilling life. Living and experiencing the “now” is how I’ll make my life a great memory in the future.