Dear Ravi:

looking back at today, how I got angry, notice I took a break. Taking a break is one skill taught at anger-management classes. Such a simple skill, taking a break, removing yourself from the situation when angry- those few moments, or however long the break, can save a lot of trouble, serve to cool off the rage.

I suppose your grandmother and parents are quite ignorant. Your grandmother is aggressive, and your parents are passive, mostly, it seems to me. But all three are ignorant. They may have your best interest at heart but the deliver what is your … worst interest.

So does it matter whether they are your enemies or misguided friends, if what they do is against your well being; if what you do hurts you a lot?

Doesn’t matter when you look at the results, that is your own life!

So, yes, sounds like they are not at all critical thinkers, that is they are gullible. But why would they believe a stranger (about the college) and not listen to YOU?

Why did they respect the person who told them about the college scam and not respect what you have to say? That I do not like!

In any case, you learned your lessons that regardless of their intentions, they are not CAPABLE to deliver on their intents to operate for your best interest. In fact, in reality,again and again.. and yet again, they operated for your worst interest.

So, you, Ravi, I hope (and you sound like, from your writings) to be more intelligent than any of the three of them. So, if you listen to them at this point about anything at all,that would make you… what?

To be wise, don’t listen to them. Know that their intents are irrelevant to what they actually deliver with their words and choices.

Take charge. You are way, way, way…. way more likely to make good choices for yourself than any of them is and the three of them put together (as history clearly indicates).

Take charge then. One thing I am sure of: there is nobody in your household more qualified than you to choose better for yourself. Take charge, Ravi, every day and in everything!

anita