Stuck In Smug

Smugness is deceiving. You can appear that you're "better than" but below decks you're hiding you feelings of inferiority.

Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

Find the written versions of these podcasts on John's podcasting site: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628038

"The Grasshopper" is the part of you that whispers pearls of wisdom that  seem to pop into your mind from out of the blue. John's essays and blog posts are his interpretations of these "Nips of Nectar." Others have labeled his writings as timeless wisdom. 

Most of the John's writings revolve around self improvement and self help. They address topics like:

• Mindfulness
• Peace of mind
• Creativity
• How to stay in the present moment
• Spirituality
• Behavior improvement

And stories that transform you to a wider sense of awareness that presents more options. And isn't that what we all want, more options? 

John uploads these podcasts on a regular basis. So check back often to hear these podcasts heard around the world. Who wants to be the next person to change? 

Make sure to order a copy of John's new book: WISDOM OF THE GRASSHOPPER – 21 Days to Creativity. These mini-meditations take you inside where all your creative resources live. And you'll come out not only refreshed but recommitted to creating your future. 

It's only $16.95 and available at BLURB.COM at the link below. https://www.blurb.com/b/10239673-wisd...

Also, download John's FREE book INTER RUPTION: The Magic Key To Lasting Change. It's available at John's website  https://GrasshopperNotes.com

Transcript

Stuck in Smug

Have you ever met someone so convinced they’re better than you that you just want to hand them a mirror and say, “Here—take a good look at yourself”? You know the type. They wear their smugness like cologne—heavy, overpowering, and impossible to ignore.

Take surgeons, for example. Now, don’t get me wrong—they save lives. But I swear there must be a course in medical school titled “How to Perfect Your Superiority Complex.” Some of them walk into a room like they invented the human body. They give you that raised-eyebrow look, like you just got caught eating paste in third grade. It’s as if having that title magically elevates them above the rest of us mere mortals.

And then there’s the “holier than thou” crowd. You’ve seen them—the pious pretenders who can’t just practice their faith quietly; no, they’ve got to make sure you know you’re falling short. Every word they speak comes wrapped in judgment, with a side order of pity. Their nose isn’t just in the air—it’s wrinkled, like they’re smelling something bad, and apparently, that foul smell is you.

But superiority isn’t limited to operating rooms or sermon soapboxes. Step into the world of the social elite. You know, the people with the corner office, the luxury car, or the kind of address that comes with its own zip code. They glance at you the way you’d glance at spoiled milk—like they can’t believe someone of your standing has wandered into their world. It’s the classic look-down-the-nose maneuver, often paired with a subtle step back, just in case your “lesser-than” status is contagious.

Now, it’s easy to laugh—or roll our eyes—at these folks, but here’s the thing: superiority is just insecurity in a nicer suit. People who feel the need to puff themselves up are often the very ones who are terrified of being found small. They strut, they sniff, they sneer—but under all that smug, they’re just scared someone will figure out they’re not nearly as special as they claim to be.

So is there a cure for smugness? Yea, Humility. Not the kind where you beat yourself up or play small. No, real humility is simply recognizing that everyone has value. That your title, your bank account, or your moral checklist doesn’t make you better than the next person. In fact, the quickest way to melt smugness—yours or someone else’s—is curiosity. Ask questions. Listen. Get to know them a little better, instead of assuming you already know.

Sadly, superiority doesn’t elevate anyone. It isolates them. It leaves them stuck—stuck in smug. And if you’ve ever been around someone like that, you know it’s not just lonely up there on their pedestal—it stinks.

All the best,

John