One of the most original thinkers of the 20th century, George Gurdjieff, advises applying the rule of “wait 24 hours.” There is nothing extraordinary or mystical here, everything is very simple. If you are offended, cursed or even get a slap, do not rush to answer. Inwardly, make a decision that you will reply after 24 hours. Then go and think: if your “offender” was correct, go back and thank him. If you think, he was wrong then what makes sense to go back and demand an explanation from a person with whom you have no common grounds.
The matter here, I emphasize, is about insults rather than usual disagreement. For example, there is a disagreement between me and the vast majority of the Armenian people in connection with the attacks on police regiment last summer, our estimations are diametrically different. The majority of Armenians also disagree with me regarding the speedometer. However, I do not see any tragedy in my contradictions with hundreds of thousands of people, I am not trying to convince anyone, and as you can see, I give a room to the supporters of the views that are contrary to my opinion.
Very few of the speakers of this vast popular mass are trying to hurt or label me. (I, too, do not do such a thing). And what to do with those who nonetheless “give a hard time on me”, slam, prick and so on. There is a temptation to counter in the same way in the first 5 minutes or half an hour at most. Later, after about 2-3 hours, there is a desire to respond them in my way. And after 24 hours? Naturally, one day later, there is no strive to talk to this person about this issue. I think this should be the stance of a normal and adequate person.
Soon, the election campaign will enter an active phase. Politicians inevitably will “get to each other.” A small recommendation: apply Gurdjieff’s rule of “wait 24 hours.” Suppose, the X reproaches the Y, “What have you done with this country, hey you, scoundrel robbers!” The usual reaction is: the Y responds either in person or thru his spokespersons or even thru the media, “Well, now, you recall what your people have done, hey you, criminals.” The X or his spokespersons respond to it, “No, everything was bliss in our times.” “What was bliss?” and so it goes on and on. If you answer once, then I will seek your word to be the last during the 20th or the 30th “skirmish”. People grow heated and usually, opportunely, forget what they are arguing about.
In short, dear politicians, try not to answer the insults. I know that my offer will not be accepted. I know it because I am already covering the 6th parliamentary elections.
