Brett Culver also told his life’s story to the group; how he might have been a medical doctor instead of a young businessman with a degree in Business Administration and well on his way to success in his own already extensive business.
This is a classic example of how a very capable young person who, because of belittlers in adult life, couldn’t get what he first set out for, but made the very best of what he could get.
He was a quiet unassuming type. People generally would not associate such a modest and seemingly reserved person with such business accomplishments. Brett is a mild mannered, strong charactered gentleman; an above board straight shooter, honest and trustworthy. Though still young, in his early thirties, Brett’s hair was thinning back from the temples on either side. Rather than detracting from, it served to augment his distinctive appearance. He is another fine person in both appearance, character and intellect. He came from well meaning and helpful parents who did have some knowledge and experience in dealing with difficult people. Brett also has to deal with belittlers in everyday life. He has a fine, compatible wife, which fact doubles his trouble with belittlers, but also gives him an understanding partner to share the burden and to cope all the better.
Next to cross Collin’s mind was Owen Winslow. Owen had achieved more academically than any of the others, and has held some responsible teaching positions as well as being a minister of the Church. Yet even he in his quest for a career had to forfeit a desired degree in literature, and who knows, perhaps a distinguished career in the same, for a degree in history which he made very good use of. Belittlers got in his way of course and caused that change. Owen, as well as being fine looking, is also big in size, tall and of medium build, which makes him stand out all the more in public.
His troubles began, however, in childhood, with sibling rivalry not only undisciplined, but actually aided by a wayward thinking father. Regardless, Owen has done well in life thus far, and continues on the upward swing. To Collin’s mind this is a classic example of a person being able, by the grace of God and the help of friends, including a well meaning but naive mother, to overcome childhood damages. Owen would have done even better were it not for belittlers present in his adult life. He is a high profile and confident person. This matches Gilda Emerson’s high caliber qualities, and since meeting at the support group they have begun dating. They will be good support for each other, thought Collin.
Albin Anders had also told his story to the support group. Albin is the younger member, not long out of his teens. He has a good father but a difficult, belittling mother. She did damage to him in his childhood. He heroically strived to overcome, only to be put down time and again in adulthood by belittlers outside the family. This to Collin is yet another classic though different example of the adverse effects of belittlers at work in adult life and how his childhood problems could have been overcome were it not for belittlers at work on him as he sought to establish himself in adult life. His father was good to him but had little knowledge and understanding of Albin’s basic problem. Hence he was virtually on his own until he was brought into the support group. Albin too is a fine looking, fine charactered, intelligent person, but sadly lacking in self esteem and therefore very shy. He has never had the freedom to blossom and grow into his own person. Physically, like the other group members, he stands out among people. Being so young and so inexperienced in life the odds at present are not in his favor. Collin knew from experience what that was like. He resolved to do his utmost to help Albin get ahead against almost formidable odds.
Collin had told his more lengthy story last, and used it, among other things, to show the extent to which belittling, often intentional, can go to ruin lives, especially young lives; and in accordance with his purpose, he also used it to shed helpful light on the lives of the other support group members.
Collin stirred from his reflection as he saw Owen Winslow coming across the foyer and stood to meet him.
“Nice to see you again,” said Collin.
“Likewise,” replied Owen, cheerfully. “Are you ready to tell us the story of your friend who went to live in Terraprima?”
“Yes if it’s still okay with Dr. Eldren, if he is still in empathy with people like us.”
“Oh, no problem there.”
“And the Student Guidance Department?”.
“Oh, no problem there. They have left us pretty much on our own.”
The two walked to the elevator chatting about the helpfulness and hopes of this venture of theirs, and proceeded to Room 405 to begin the second semester of the support group.
They entered the room but were a little early and only Dr. Eldren was present. The three exchanged greetings and friendly small talk, passing the time until the others arrived. Dr. Eldren stood tall, well built and distinguished as usual. His near white hair and his now noticeably pale face portrayed him as a man in his retirement years, and perhaps still working too much, or, with a health or nutrition problem.
The other group members arrived, Brett Culver as usual being the last to come in. His business life was sometimes more than he could keep up with. This is often characteristic of having one’s own growing business. It is quite contrary to what many people, especially belittlers, think about the privileged and easy life of owning and managing one’s own prospering business.
The members pulled up chairs and sat around in a circle as usual. By now they knew each other well, and also their procedure at such meetings. They looked to Dr. Eldren to set things in motion.
“Collin,” he began, “you have agreed to tell us the story of your friend who went to Terraprima to live. I personally am interested in hearing it because I believe we are isolating a peculiar fact of life as opposed to simply dealing with difficult people as a whole.”
“Yes, Doctor Eldren, that’s it and I am ready to tell the story if it is still the desire of the group.”
“I’m all ears!” exclaimed Leo Aidan in his sometimes boisterous manner, setting a relaxed atmosphere over the gathering.
“I really do want to hear it,” said Owen Winslow. “It will help me decide which direction to go in life.”
The other group members expressed a desire to hear the story.
Collin began his presentation, “before I get into the story itself, there are some preliminaries that I think will help prepare you for it. Recalling the stories of belittling in Secundaterra and Lower Secundaterra, we noted that belittling here is done mainly by individual envious people. Occasionally one or two or three may team up against you, or, a single belittler may gain the support of others, including some innocent people.
“In Terraprima, however, the belittling may become a conspiracy of sorts as I call it. That is groups of people that are close knit together, like in the church, may turn on a person like us.”
“In the church!” exclaimed Leo Aidan in amazement.
“Yes, in the church,” Collin repeated.
“Oh, oh,” was Owen’s brief response, as his thoughts of perhaps one day having a career in the church there took a downturn.
Collin continued, “you need to know that in some parts of Terraprima, including in some of its churches, belittlers treat people like us, either openly or subtly, as though we had no right to function fully, or in some cases even partially, in society. Why? Because in so doing we make them feel deflated, which is their problem, not ours. We unintentionally prick the balloon of their undisciplined pride. Their envy and hostility are aroused. They seek to drive us away or destroy us. It is so common in Terraprima that people in high places and low help one another do the dirty deed. It never having been brought out openly in public, makes it one of North America’s most guarded and frequently practiced fallacies.
“It is a highly developed and craftily specialized way of life among, I would guesstimate, about a third of the population. It was especially practiced in the denomination of the church in Terraprima to which my friend went; practiced among both clergy and laity in high places and low, and much of it in between. They are not only belittlers