In journalism, we were taught that there are always two sides to every story. Sometimes, even more.
The picture above is one of my favorite examples of how we perceive things depending on how it was shown to us or how we consume them. Photo on the left might look like the soldier was pointing a gun on the man's head, while photo on the right shows another soldier helping him out drink water. The middle one reveals the whole story.
Funny how this isn't just a case of media manipulation, but it also happens in real life. In our own personal lives.
I, myself, have been a victim of people twisting my story too many times. Oftentimes I only find out that what I've said or done has been blown out of proportions whenever a person (or persons) involved stops talking to me. Then from there I realize that some people I thought I trusted were not really meant to be trusted.
I'll give you one example.
Sometime long ago we had a bidding for an online group where members can bid a date for a certain person on the list. It was for charity as proceeds will go to one of the members who needed help with his meds and it was done mainly for fun. Please keep in mind that this was a harmless and fun activity with no intention of offending or ridiculing anyone.
Anyway, I was one of the listed people who was to be bid for a date. I was also one of the organizers of the event but I participated (like the other organizers) so we can raise more money. I even pooled in some cash so I can bid for others.
And in the end, I was the highest bid person at Php13,000.
The guy who bid for me was a friend and his intention was really to help out the member who needed financial help. The date was only a bonus, but he didn't even insist on it. Such a gentleman, honestly.
After a few weeks when we almost had forgotten about what happened, someone told me that there were some people gossiping about me how I did not deserve to be there as I was one of the organizers and the bid of "Php30,000" on me was too much.
See how things escalated quickly? And from Php13,000, I was immediately valued at Php30,000. Lol.
I don't know where their information came from and I didn't mind correcting it because 1) I really don't know these people and we're not close, and 2) I didn't want to put the person who told me at risk of losing her own friends.
So I just let them be.
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There were also times when I reached out to explain my side of things to people. As I've mentioned in my previous post, I used to be afraid of losing people in my life and I don't want them to think badly of me.
But I guess there are some who had already decided that I was the villain to their story. There's no point in clarifying my side because they had made up their minds.
As my mother would put it, "Wala kang panalo sa taong sarado na ang tenga at isip sa gusto nilang paniwalaan."
Lately, I learned how to slowly cut ties with people and only share my personal successes and woes to those in my bubble. The ones I know I can fully trust—tried and tested over the years.
I also noticed how those people who twist your side of the story are determined to drag you down because you're on top them. They keep talking about you because their lives are, sadly, not even worth talking about. How unhappy. I just feel bad for them.
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As for me, I'll just continue to live my life and do what I do. I'm not going to bring this negativity with me this coming year. I may be sharing a lot in social media but I'll keep the important ones within my small circle.
I realized that best way to diss these people is by keeping silent. Keep them guessing.
In a world of he said, she said, there will always be those who have something to say. Let them talk. They're just background noise.
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