1 way bad people actually benefit us

The benefits good people provide in our lives are varied and obvious. They're kind, loving, and compassionate. They teach us to be grateful for the support and generosity we receive from loved ones, especially during difficult times.

Now what about bad people -- the selfish, narcissistic, dishonest, insensitive, opportunistic individuals we come across every now and then? Do they benefit us in any way?

Absolutely.

Like the good people, they teach us a valuable lesson: Whom not to associate with.

They demonstrate the opposite qualities we should strive to develop and nurture ourselves, seek in other people, and instill in our children.

They embody precisely the kind of person we should aim to avoid because, rather than enhance our lives like the good people do, they diminish them with their pride, self-absorption, and callousness.

Granted, nobody's perfect. We all exhibit shades of selfishness here and there. We all fib on occasion. But some people take it to a whole different level. They unapologetically breathe lies and deception, and will stop at nothing to get their way -- even if it means trampling on others to do so.

You can't expect to know the kind of person you want to be until you see the kind of person you'd never wish to be.

Some of us are lucky enough to have great role models growing up -- our parents, teachers, and the like -- while others don't have as sturdy a support system at home and elsewhere.

The bottom line is that people who care only about themselves and fail to treat others with respect are not the kind of people anyone should surround themselves with.

Instead, we should gravitate toward those who find great pleasure in doing good deeds -- whether it's donating to the poor, joining their kid's community service program, or just being an all-around decent human being. Those are the folks we should not only venerate, but emulate.

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