When people do nasty things!
It was a beautiful morning. I had the luxury of sleeping in, enjoying a nice cup of tea as soon as I woke up and listening to the birds chirping.
I started my day by telling my boss that I am on leave tomorrow. How nice!
I was tired. And the day was only starting.
People doing nasty things
I do not gel well with a person in my office. We do not talk. Well, we talk only if it is necessary; work-related things.
This was making me uncomfortable. Because till now when I have a problem with someone, I talk to the person and make it right or I will ghost the person. Never had I to be in a situation where I have a problem with someone and I can’t do anything about it.
I had a verbal argument with my mother and I stormed out of the house. Well, she did call me back. Only to ask me to give back the scooter I took. (Which she has not used for more than 3 months)
I love my sister a lot. A lot is not the right word to express my emotions. But she chooses to defy me every time she can. I was unhappy with everything she was doing.
I was late in reaching home. My colleague was giving a treat for her brother’s marriage. I also had some errands. I had to collect my laptop from the service centre. And then my grandmother called me while I was talking to the service centre guy. I took the call and told her I will talk later. My grandmother was upset.
Later I heard her complaining to my aunt that I did not let her know that I was going to be late. Well, I did tell my father that I would be late.
I was thinking, why do people talk about people instead of talking TO them? It gave me a great deal of pain that my grandmother chooses to talk about me to someone else than talking to me.
Now let me give another side.
People doing wonderful things
My colleague moved up her treat because I might not be in the office on the date she planned.
I am a part-time volunteer at Isha Foundation. I had joined their creative group. It is amazing to note that for an organisation fully run by volunteers, it has got a well-structured system for each job. I thought they’d give me an assignment right away. But I was asked to sit for a 3 days class because you just can’t put out content in the name of Isha in any way you wish. There had to be a particular way and you are expected to commit to making it happen in the way they want. However, because of time constraints, I could not attend the course and I was not given any assignment.
Later another class did fall in my free time. I attended the class. I was the only person who has not yet used Photoshop. Everyone else was an expert in the field of web designing. So I was almost saying goodbye to this community. A few days ago the organiser asked me if he can add me to the WhatsApp group for creative working for Isha. I told him about my scepticism regarding the completion of assignments and lack of knowledge of photoshop and access to photoshop software.
I expected the guy to say goodbye. But he was kind enough to tell me that my willingness is all I needed. And boy, I was more than willing. He even promised to get in touch with me with a solution to the software problem.
Then I forgot about it.
But today morning he sent me a link and a detailed explanation of how to install photoshop. He also sent me a set of detailed tutorials for beginners.
I wondered how a stranger can be kind and considerate to another stranger. If you are thinking he did all those just to make me do the job then you are wrong. Because there are enough and more extremely qualified people and professionals in the group for it. He was just respecting my willingness.
Do you remember the colleague I talked about who does not talk to me? I took the conscious decision of looking at the good things about him. I was surprised at myself for not seeing all those good things earlier. The guy is smart, experienced and doesn't tolerate any nonsense. You can't mess with that person for he is too good.
Every day when I come home from the office, my grandmother gives me tea. Sometimes I do yoga in the evening instead of morning. She waits till I finish yoga and prepare fresh tea for me. She is the person who packs my lunch, water-bottle and clean up the mess I make in my room.
She gives me money for my birthday, Onam and Vishu. She doesn't have to.
She lets me handle her ATM card and has told me multiple times that I can take money from her account whenever I need it. Although I don't intend to do it ever, what she is offering is a huge thing.
If I start talking about all the things my mother has done for me, it would take a lifetime. She is not a soft-spoken lady but deep inside I know she loves me with her whole heart.
Choosing the best
On one side of life, there is nastiness, nastiness and more nastiness. On another side, there are kindness, love and more love. Sometimes the people who do and speak nasty things to me are kind and loving.
So what do we do when people do things that we cannot accept?
"Recognise the people around you for the best that you have seen in them. In recognising the best instead of the worst, you will kindle nurture and receive the best of everyone."
I hope you found something to think about.