Recent events in my life (the social part, anyway) has taught me a simple belief and this one was influenced by my friend that wrote it and the friends i've made recently that have shaped me to be a stronger person.
"Fact is people want you to be a doormat so you're easy to stomp on and they get ahead at your expense, which is why they lowe you off when you get self respect, an opinion and you stop being a yes man. Bottom line, to get ahead you gotta stop doing what everyone else wants and start doing whatever you want."