You could say I'm a transparent guy, or maybe just a dumbass. Last week a few of my former Oracle colleagues took me out for a farewell happy hour, and one of them shared with me that the buzz around the office is that some people think I was a dumbass, while others think that I'm somewhat of an inspiration. The details of this story are secondary to the main reason I'm writing this post, but in summary, these opinions about me were formed by my choice to be transparent with my boss about leaving Oracle before I left Oracle.
My reason for writing this story is to say: have courage to be a dumbass.
My friend's statements struck me, but not because "the buzz is that some people think I was a dumbass" -- but because of the contrast between those that think I'm a dumbass and those that think I'm an inspiration.
My immediate response was something along the lines of (and I was just about jumping out of my chair with a huge smile on my face):
"You know what's great -- I am so grateful that some people would consider me an inspiration -- because I know I've had "inspirations" in my life and many of these people have impacted my life in ways that I carry with me today. I haven't forgotten them. If you inspire someone that can change someone's life forever -- it's something that they can carry with them forever.
And if someone thinks you're a dumbass? First off, you're not a dumbass just because they think you're one (nobody on this earth gets to create the definition of who you are), but more importantly WHO CARES about their opinion anyways because they will think "dumbass" and then forget about you and go to sleep that night and probably never think about you again."
Especially when you're following Jesus you will have people say to you (or think) that you're a dumbass. A lot of things about following Jesus just don't make sense to people that don't understand the beauty of self-sacrificial love and servitude.
First, let their comments or opinions roll off of you. They're just opinions.
Secondly, have grace for them that they just don't understand you. Maybe they don't know about Jesus -- and if this is the case they will very likely not understand why you behave the way you behave in your crazy fruits of the spirit ways.
Thirdly, if they keep calling you a dumbass just say something like "Dude I'd rather be a dumbass than a STANK ass!"
