Disappointment as a Weapon

The only thing worse than someone being mad at you, is them being disappointed in you.

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Like any tool, disappointment can be used for good or for bad. It can be used to motivate you to form healthy and productive habits, or it could be used as a form power over another person- a form of paternalistic disapproval.

When used sparingly, this can be super effective, though emotionally painful. If used too often, you may ending up creating a sense of "not-enoughness" - a toxic sort of mentality that seeks perfectionism that becomes an insatiable hunger to find your happiness in other peoples' happiness.

While this sort of selfless love is seen as a good thing (service oriented, humble, considerate), if over emphasized, it may lead to a sense of dissatisfaction with oneself without the approval of others. Service may smile through a mask of needing outside approval. Humility may be masked by sincere self deprecation. Being considerate may come at a steep cost to ones own time, effort, or satisfaction.

A sword can be used to save or to kill. A smile can be used to sweeten or sicken. Ultimately, disappointment can be used to encourage or discourage.

Wield the sword responsibly.