The Eeyore Effect
July 16, 2009 – 9:18 am
An excerpt from one of my favorite books, The Te of Piglet, by Benjamin Hoff. (Te is pronounced “Deh.” It means virtue.) It is a wonderful book using the characters of Winnie the Pooh to explain Taoism.
What’s the matter Piglet?” I asked.
“I was walking through the flowers just now,” he said, “singing a little song, when Eeyore came up.”
“Oh. Eeyore. What happened?”
” He said, ‘Be careful, little Piglet – someone might pick you along with those pansies and pit you in a vase on the mantelpiece. And then what would you do?’ Then he walked away, chuckling to himself.”
“Oh, don’t mind Eeyore. He just likes to make others feel small, especially if they’re smaller than he is, anyway. That makes him look big – he thinks.”
“I wouldn’t mind his being miserable by himself, if he enjoys it so. But why does he have to spread it around?”
Thus was coined The Eeyore Effect; i.e. the desire to make others feel miserable in order to make yourself feel better. I know someone who calls these people “awfullizers.” Everything is awful. If it’s not, they’ll find a way to make it so. They sit and wait like this Assassin Bug for some unsuspecting innocent being to approach so they can launch their attack.
In the natural world, predatory behavior is a survival skill. But in civilized society, it is as unwelcomed as rain on a parade. Most of us can proudly say that we have transcended such behavior ourselves, but I ask you to notice how often you willingly participate in that behavior as a witness. Are your favorite tv programs violent? Are your favorite books about serial killers? Are you addicted to gossip? Are you more likely to ask someone about illness or wellness?
“If you can’t say something nice…come sit by me.” Mae West
Happy Day,
Trish
One Response to “The Eeyore Effect”
With the pawn shop purchase of a Fender Stratocaster blues guitar came David’s copy, from his godson, of “The Zen Guitar.” Now his nightly Bible reading… It’s like living with you in a different body!! ommmmmmm xx
By Hartley on Jul 16, 2009