No one is a greater tyrant than your friendly neighbor.
Or fellow workers at the office. Or friends at the gym. The mere anticipation of their scrutiny arrests all growth before it can begin to germinate. “Why have you changed your way of life? Was everything you did until now wrong? Why do you feel a need to be different?” The most tyrannical regime could never be as oppressive.
The secret is, they may never even make a comment. They probably don’t even care. So where do all those intimidating questions come from?
They come from your own little tyrant inside.
oppressive neighbor must comment on this. it's taken years and years and plenty of miserable days, lots of praying, along with fabulous counseling, to realize how many bullies are in the world - from grade school, jobs, etc. personally, they were such bullies that people around them were too afraid NOT to join them.
incredibly sad, BUT because of them, every second of my life is cherished more than ever; close friends who are good and true are treasures! and never take anything for granted. have to say G-d has blessed me big time!
most of the parents of these hurtful people are/were bullies, themselves.
ah, that felt good!!!