(By Hella Ahmed) Human relationships are a tangle. Some folks, in their finer moments, sing the praises of connection, inspiration, empathy, or friendship with what seems like real heart. But switch the scene, and those same voices turn to exploitation, favoritism, or straight-up snobbery, exposing a moral flip-flop. Woe to anyone who dares shine too bright—they’ll be yanked back into line. Everyone’s nursing their own little project until some envious jerk comes along to wreck it and shove theirs forward. Sickly rivalry, especially among some women, casts a grim shadow over human bonds, and men often get dragged into the mess.

Can we still hope for real, honest exchanges? Everything feels fake, staged. How do you offer trust or affection in a world that’s lost its way, obsessed with chasing fleeting hype, the “buzz”? 

Climate Change and Ethical Slips

In slick, well-paid columns, they’ll scream that flying is a crime against the planet, practically a sin. Yet, at the first chance, those same preachers jet off to “clear their heads” with cash earned preaching climate gospel. Someone who once bragged about their plane trips to flex their wealth, all while claiming to be a lifelong eco-warrior, now spends their days accusing other travelers of torching the planet and humanity’s future. Why? Because they can’t afford those getaways as often anymore.

This same person, who cherry-picks others’ ideas to pose as a truth-teller in columns, podcasts, or books, crows about their empathy and knack for healing wounded souls. But they know damn well that having your work gutted and stolen for someone else’s fame or profit is crushing, traumatic for the victim of their relentless, aggressive hustle.

They preach to the void, yet ecology matters, and no one’s pain is more valid than another’s.

Overflowing Arrogance

Some people insist on forcing toxic relationships on their targets, refusing to leave them alone despite clear rejection of their controlling, coercive tactics. They provoke, itching to get a reaction from those who just want distance. The victims have to learn to shrug it off, despite the justified anger and resentment. To get there, you’ve got to return to yourself.

You can protest, confront, or firmly state your disinterest, but if these people lack basic social skills or relational ethics, if that’s just how they exist in the world, trying to reason with them is a waste of breath—especially if their circle is supportive of their methods. Reframe their speeches, since they started the game. If they can live without feeding off you, they’ll move on. If not, believe it or not, these toxic types, convinced their harmful exchanges are necessary, will keep at it for years—an eternity.

Aim Higher, No Apologies

Some talk to their audience—the ones funding their cushy lives—like they’re sheep meant to pile into cramped, run-down apartments, two, three, four, five, or six at a time, scraping by. Meanwhile, they’re buying another house or condo, convinced their worldview puts them at the top of the scale. They block others’ paths, those with the brains to think, create, and shine through their productivity and creativity. They hoard happiness for their clique and keep a close eye on the ambitions and successes of those they want to control.

The worst are the ones who dig through your wallet, jubilating when they see you’ve got little, knowing they’ve taken it all or sabotaged your social and financial climb. Their pettiness can’t stand your success. They spend their vacations sulking over your moments of joy or achievement. Devoted to their mission of destruction, they buy into some energy theory: your happiness somehow steals from their future. They live bitter, haunted by hidden superstitions, never truly happy or satisfied, because their joy depends on someone else’s misery. And yet, everyone’s fighting for themselves.

Live in Peace, with Peace

I’m not not preaching by exemple here—I don’t aim to be a role model (no superpowers or antennae here, just knowledge and skills earned through work and grit) or a victim (though I’ve been one plenty of times). I lean on my own experience because I’ve overcome major hurdles. Even now, I’m battling predators who shamelessly plunder my work to fill their pockets.

The world’s big. When you see the tragedy of avidity, turn your back and walk away. Be firm, be indifferent. These people won’t change—they’ve shown you that enough. Don’t waste another second trying to reason with them: their only faith is vanity.

Hella Ahmed © All rights reserved – Find my books on Amazon