Life is full of "putter downers". They're the people who quite frankly spend more of their time looking for a reason to put someone down than actually enjoying their own life, their own friends and their own families. Sometimes, I truly think they become so consumed with looking for opportunities to put someone down that it actually just becomes a part of them, a part of their every day routine.

It seems awful to me that we seem to be living in a culture where this is happening more regular.

A quote that spings to mind is "Strong people down put others down, they lift them up." 

I don't think it would hurt to remember this once in a while. Putting someone down doesn't make you any more of a person, it doesn't make you any more superior. You gain nothing, only lose your credibility. It makes you a weaker, more narrow minded person, naive to the world around you.

You shouldn't ever be scared of someone progressing, only happy for them. There is nothing to be afraid of and in actual fact, if they surpass you for whatever reason that is only because you either didn't want what they wanted or you failed to take an opportunity, you failed to push yourself like they did and for that you can not blame anyone else. 

Everyone has aspirations. Personally and professionally, those who want it the most will climb the highest. Loyalty, honesty and dedication get you there - not by standing on others to reach the goals you've set yourself in fear of missing out. 

On the other hand, you should also never allow anyone to put you down. Stand up tall. No one is better than you. No one has the right to put you down, to demoralise you, to lower your self esteem to better thamselves or make them feel above you. Erase those people from your life. Ignore them, don't speak to them, don't give them the time of day - do not waste one more unnecessary breath on them. It sounds harsh, but ultimately they will take advantage and by allowing them to continue with this kind of ridiculous behaviour gives them a platform they do not deserve. 

There is always someone, be it a friend, a family member, a colleague or an aquantance that right now, think they are better than you waiting for an opportunity to think they can prove that. They will have recently put you down or made you feel low. Well let me tell you this: they are lazy, they find it easier to hurt you than they do to better themselves. They are weaker than you are and they know no moral boundaries. Rise above it, smile, be happy for yourself and others, be successful, work hard, show commitment, dedication, honesty, loyalty and respect. By doing this, you'll end up only being surrounding by people who love you for who you are, not what you portray yourself to be. Real people, who are true to themselves. These are the people you want in your life and ironically that will give you more than "putter downers" will ever have. 

As The Script once said, you can be the greatest, you can be the best.