The Napoleon Complex

Yesterday, while laughing with a group of friends on a chat, they began to make fun of my short stature; a friend said you are a small man, accept your genetic failure and move forward…
While goofing around it occurred to me to write a blog about weaknesses and compensation.
My wife, Nesrin, always tells me that I suffer from a Napoleon Complex whenever she gets mad with me.
So, what is the meaning of this suffering?
“Napoleon complex, or "short man syndrome", is a pejorative slang term describing a type of psychological phenomenon which is said to exist in people, usually men, of short stature.
It is characterized by overly-aggressive or domineering social behavior, and carries the implication that such behavior is compensatory for the subjects' stature. The term is also used more generally to describe people who are driven by a perceived handicap to overcompensate in other aspects of their lives.” Wikipedia
The term compensation refers to a type of defense mechanism in which people overachieve in one area to compensate for failures in another.
Positive compensations may help to overcome difficulties. Psychologist Alfred Adler suggested whenever people experience feelings of inferiority; they automatically experience a compensatory need to strive for superiority. As a result, people push themselves to overcome their weaknesses and achieve their goals. WHAT IS COMPENSATION?
On the other hand people can overcompensate or undercompensate which in turn can have a negative effect. One can strive for power and dominance that can lead to abuse. If one undercompensates by a need for help, can lead to a lack of courage and a fear for life. 
One of my weaknesses is dyslexia.  Growing up with dyslexia was not always easy…
During my elementary years, dyslexia was not even a term people knew or understood. I was perceived as a problem child! I was not able to read out loud and had difficulty understanding the teachers. I would spend hours sketching in my notebooks… my parents did not understand my problem. 
I refused to accept it and built other strengths based on my weakness! 
I was able to compensate my inability to read and write by being very social, outgoing and able to resolve complicated problems with simple solutions.
The combination of my weaknesses and my strengths are the reasons for my success.  I would not be where I am today without my weaknesses and as a result of my compensations that carved out my path in life. 
Dyslexia, which was supposed to be my weakness, became a blessing in disguise. I am not afraid of looking at a challenge and conquering it…
The majority of people tend to use their weakness or handicaps as an excuse for their defeats.  In my case, I have so many weaknesses that I had to learn how to utilize them to improve my life.
So, next time that Nesrin gets mad at me and tells me that I suffer from the Napoleon Complex, I will reply with a thank you! 
Yet, I might be overcompensating a little too much and may need to tone it down. :) :)

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